Review of Gorky Park (1983) by Ola G — 07 Dec 2010

Arkady Renko (William Hurt) is the chief investigator for the Militia in Moscow. After a triple homicide in Gorky Park, where the bodies have been mutilated beyond recognition, Renko starts his investigation. He realises soon enough that no one really wants him to solve the crime because it is just the tip of a complex conspiracy which involves the highest levels of the Moscow´s government officials and an american named Jack Osborne (Lee Marvin).

Based on Martin Cruz Smith´s novel, this is an ok thriller with big names such as Wiliam Hurt, Brian Dennehy and Lee Marvin. It´s a shame that the production team were never allowed to film in Moscow (the cold war was still on) so they had to shoot it in Helsinki. I reckon the majestic scenery of Moscow would have given the movie a nice layer. The fact that people speak english and not russian (or at least tries), adds a bit of a comic effect when some actors has a very broad english accent. This is a pretty big minus I would say. Apparently nobody cared back in 1983... The acting becomes as well a bit stiff and theatrical at times. And the ending is, well not that exciting. However, "Gorky Park" has its moments.