I was totally thrown by this movie's horrifying beginning. I wrongly assumed this was going to be a flashback on the life of selfless spy Ryszard Kuklinski (Marcin Dorocinski).
Luckily, he fares a lot better. But this based-on-a-true-story film generates considerable suspense as "Jack Strong" tries to save his beloved Poland, from nuclear annihilation, and his own neck.
How odd, I found, to hear a mournful trumpet sounding at uncomfortable junctures during this production -- how could one not recall "The Godfather"?
The movie affords a good opportunity to refresh one's grasp of such topics as the 1968 invasion of Czechoslovakia and the Warsaw Pact.
It was also interesting to observe the Cold War between Kuklinski and his son Bogdan (Piotr Nerlewski), who resents his dad's alliance with the Russian oppressors. ("You don't care about us -- you're just working for the commies!")
It's terribly sad and discomfiting to learn of the real-life fate of both of Kuklinski's sons.
Luckily, he fares a lot better. But this based-on-a-true-story film generates considerable suspense as "Jack Strong" tries to save his beloved Poland, from nuclear annihilation, and his own neck.
How odd, I found, to hear a mournful trumpet sounding at uncomfortable junctures during this production -- how could one not recall "The Godfather"?
The movie affords a good opportunity to refresh one's grasp of such topics as the 1968 invasion of Czechoslovakia and the Warsaw Pact.
It was also interesting to observe the Cold War between Kuklinski and his son Bogdan (Piotr Nerlewski), who resents his dad's alliance with the Russian oppressors. ("You don't care about us -- you're just working for the commies!")
It's terribly sad and discomfiting to learn of the real-life fate of both of Kuklinski's sons.