MovieChat Forums > The Inner Circle (1991) Discussion > Extremely underrated...

Extremely underrated...

posted 18 years ago by thedrmat
11 replies | jump to latest

Despite how good it is, this is probably one of the most underrated films I have ever seen.
All the actors were good and convincing (especially Tom Hulce, I wonder where did that guy go??!!), the story was as sad and downbeating as it was interesting (one of the few films about Russians I have seen that doesn't necessarily tries to put Russians as dumb, mindless beasts, but as plain, simple people), and the scenario was gritty and realistic. And the end blew me away.

I hope this movie can be found sometime on DVD, or on TV. I saw it a couple of times, a LOOOONG time ago (about 12 or 13 years ago, on cable) and never had the chance to see it again.

[–] fallenangels 18 years ago

This is a gospel truth. This and many others directed by one of the best Russian truly "underrated" filmmakers. I recommend to you more of his equally great Russian "underrated"(again that "word") films like Siberiade, House of Fools or Romance of the Lovers. He can do many chillingly "realistic", distrurbing and totally unforgettable movies like this one due to his visual impressive style. I guess that there's many images you can't put out of your mind from this film, is that right?! This movie also didn't leave me and still stays in my memory for the last 15 years.

[–] mandrake05 18 years ago

This is true for me as well. I watched this years ago and just now managed to track it down once I watched Unleashed and something just...clicked! "That ultra creepy KGB guy was Bob Hoskins!"

There are many moments in this movie which I still recall even as I search for a place to buy/rent the original:

- The man who is about to be arrested crashing head-first into a wall and killing himself.

- The projectionist's first meeting with Stalin ("Why are you shaking, comrade?")

- The train ride.

- The end where people are trampling each other to see Stalin's corpse.

This is truly one of those great things you see once in a while that is just so awesome and surreal that many years later you're pretty much convinced you imagined it. I'm glad I managed to find it!

[–] irishpepa 17 years ago

AWESOME MOVIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!......VERY UNDERRATED....AMAZING...SAD(FOR NOT BEING RECOGNIZED ENOUGH)...C'EST LA VIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SOMETIMES BEING A BITCH IS ALL A WOMAN HAS TO HOLD ONTO(dolores claiborne)

[–] garywhalen2 17 years ago

Yes, this film is EXTREMELY underrated. It had little publicity when it first appeared despite starring Tom Hulce--well-known at the time because of Animal House and Amadeus. No surprise though, since when is Hollywood going to promote a movie exposing the nightmare behind the socialist dream.

[–] Verdoux-1 15 years ago

No surprise though, since when is Hollywood going to promote a movie exposing the nightmare behind the socialist dream.

Basically every time they made a movie about the Soviet Union.

[–] vratsab 17 years ago

Agree 100%. Excellent movie!!!

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] MaximusXXX 16 years ago

I finally found it!

I saw it first on Showcase, love that channel.

Anyway you should be able to find it in any Russian film store.

Those foolish enough to move from canada to america increase the average I.Q. of both countries

[–] philipdsj 16 years ago

A truly masterpiece, I watched it a month ago.

The acting was convincing and the script was great.

[–] mikainen 15 years ago

Well, I have to disagree with all of you. Script was good and the idea interesting but acting was not that good. Hulce was more convincing when the character got older but I did not like his work in this that much.

[–] nmeisher 15 years ago

You wrote : (And, ask yourself, who was the FIRST prominent Russian figure to vilify Stalin? None other than one of his former henchmen, Khrushchev.)

It is true. Khruschev exposed what Stalin did. Henchman? Not sure about that the way you make it seem. Everyone was Stalin's henchman in politics, otherwise your family got slayed.

Stalin was pure evil. Thats a fact.