White Nights

White Nights, 1985
Staring Mikhail Baryshnikov, Gregory Hines, Helen Mirren, Jerzy Skolmowsk

Set in the Cold War, White Nights is Baryshnikov's vehicle, though presenting not only his talents as a dancer, but those of the Late Great Gregory Hines.

I must admit, my first look at Helen Mirren in that dark theater in 1985, it was obvious the class and range she possessed as an actress. She was a jilted Russian ballerina: blonde hair pulled back from a face made-up in pure class.  From her pearls to her attitude, there is no doubting she in in charge of ... well *most*rooms.  But not the rooms where her handler keeps her. Chenkov, everyones favorite evil KGB officer. He keeps her at arms length, touching her to prove his dominance. And then, when you least expect it, her strength explodes as she sneaks a message of hope to the US right in front of Chenkov. When he looks left, she whispers right. She takes a step back in time and gets help for her long gone lover(Baryshnikov).

I didn't know when I first saw this film that Mirren was English and not Russian.  She owned the part.

Would I recommend a movie from the Cold War, one where there aren't any cell phones, or any of the other trappings of a modern film?

Yes, I would. Because this is a movie about people not the times.  Where two men can get passed their bad and work together for a new future for both of them,