Review of Child 44 (2015) by Lisa A — 25 Nov 2017

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.