This is the third film I've watched in recent memory(The Girl from Petrovka and Gotcha!) set behind the iron curtain, and it is by far the one that feels the least like a piece of propaganda(it is also the only of the three that was released after the wall fell). In fact, it feels like a pretty realistic depiction. I haven't watched anything else by this director nor by either writer. This was apparently based on real events, and it feels rather authentic. It is genuinely fairly engaging, it builds tension nicely, and the suspense is great. The twist at the end definitely surprised me, and worked immensely well with what had happened up to that point. Sutherland is excellent as always, and Archer(who I've only been exposed to in the two Jack Ryan films she was in) is marvelous, as well. May, however... I think it would be more appropriate to call what she does "reading her lines", as it just does not qualify as "acting". Unfortunately, she's pretty heavily featured in spite of that. The rest of the performances are varied. Few even attempt to pull off a Russian accent. The characters are fine, and you do sympathize to Josef's situation. There is some strong language and a little violence in this. I recommend this to fans of exciting thrillers with a bit of a spy-flavor to them. 6/10
