Child 44

This movie, though not as great as the novel, may be one of the best cinematic experiences I have seen. It simultaneously moved me to tears, filled me with hatred and disgust, made me proud and loving, and caused me to be afraid. It is very rare that a simple 2 hour movie can stimulate all emotions. This movie fullfilled my expectations and in some ways exceeded them. Do not hesitate to watch this film. It is truly a life-changing experience and I wish that every single person could watch it and read the novels. It is not boring, nor does it "lag." The only criticism I have for this film is for it to have more colloquial Russian language in it, perhaps with English subtitles. It would have been perfect.

I've seen this twice and now own it. This film touched my heart. It is both painful and filled with tragedy taking place around Stalin's hellatious rule, the war, USSR/Russia and German drama of the time period of (1933-1953). Though dark, this film is beautiful because of Leo (Tom Hardy). I am disgusted by those who criticised this film and by Russia who banned it (typical)! But thank you iTunes and cable TV (where I first saw it). There are several subplots which give the film depth so it is not a fast paced Tom Cruise action movie. It is a film to witness. It is a mystery and situated aroiund the horror or the Ukranian genocide, the USSR and Stalin's propaganda. I do not care if it is not perfectly accurate and if it is acted in English. I would have watched it done in Russian with subtitles, but lets face it, Russia was never going to accept it anyway! So it is for discerning Americans to watch. It is NOT a documentary. But a story that shows enough to make you want to learn more of what happened during that time period. What is spectacular is Leo, due to his childhood in an orphanage, he remembers. Based on his determination to escape it and the kindness of a REd Army commander, he is taken in and becomes a sort of icon/hero. He lives in Moscow, captain of MGB, arresting dissedents. But he does it with as much integrity, fairness & compassion as possible. He falls in love and marries Raisa, who it becomes clear, is terrified of him (& not in love). Therefore, she behaves detached and even unfaithful to him. He adores her and is a gentlemen throughout the movie; loyal to a fault. Leo begins to fulfill his destiny to capture a serial child killer allegedy affected during the German camps to hunger chilldren's flesh. Though Leo's task is extremely difficult given Stalin's law that there is no murder in his so called paradise (ironic when 5 million innocent people starved and/or executed by his reign and order), he is not supposed to be a detective seeking a murderer. Later in the film, he is exiled and demoted for his morals and perserverence, his previous enemies & the deception of people that Raisa trusted, make Raisa see/appreciate/love/defend Leo for who he is. They do have an ally or two (with the help of a General Gary Oldman) and a bit of luck but it is always risky. They violentely fight to protect each other again and again to protect his quest to find/bring a child murderer down. The end comes full circle with Leo & Raisa unified and adopting the two children his enemy assassinated earlier in the movie.

Its not like it was a bad film, it was in the words of TRUMP, slow, so slow. But the acting was good. It gets 3 ✨ because of that. But, it gets 4 ✨ for story and acting.

This has to be one of the worst five movies that I haver seen! Misrepresented is correct!! IF you are interested in the serial killer - Andrew C. - watch the dang documentary. This movie is slow & depressing. Also - of note- the real Andrew/serial killer - was a cannibal and much scarier than this actor portrays. I thought it could not be too bad with Tom Hardy in it - I really like his other movies - but even he couldn't make this work.

As a police story and life under that regime Beautiful for a very dark story

I cannot believe this has 2 to 3 stars on som reviews .. It's well it's a thriller of sorts .. I can't go into it without giving it away .. Really #GaryOldman is brilliant as is Tom Hardy and the rest of the cast ... Definitely held me in suspense .... Fantastic Film ...

When I started to watch this movie I felt relieved that the critics had pegged this one wrong and it was going to be quite good. About half an hour into the movie I had the sinking feeling I had been hoodwinked and by the end of it I was certain. Visually intriguing, the atmosphere presented is certainly cold, ugly, without much human warmth at all but that is one of the biggest assets of the movie. But the story lumbers along and several times I had to pause and rewind to see if I’d missed something because suddenly there was all that bustling and expectation I felt was unwarranted. Even the children didn’t move me much with their story. I love Gary Oldman and his character had the most depth. Tom Hardy’s wasn’t bad and I could have lived with him just fine if not for Noomi Rapace who I think is highly overrated as an actress. Their chemistry was absent from the beginning and how their story ends had me shaking my head. The killer I think they got at the store for 99cents tax-free. No mystery, no depth, laughable reasoning and conclusion to his story. I haven’t read the book but the movie comes across like a very bad Reader’s Digest version with most of the main plot still being there but only just. And most of the subplots just sprinkled in here and there without concern if they made any sense at all in the form they were being used. A failed attempt in my opinion.

And then blew it. I loved the book it was emotional and well written but I didn't see that in this movie.

This was not only an amazing performance, but also beautiful filmed and well told. My husband and I really liked the movie.

Tom hardy does it again.