Watch Despite the Falling Snow

Despite the Falling Snow is a gripping romantic thriller from 2016, directed by Shamim Sarif and starring Rebecca Ferguson, Charles Dance, and Sam Reid. The movie is set in Moscow during the Cold War, and it tells the story of a double life of a beautiful and intelligent spy. The main character, Katya Grinkova, played by Rebecca Ferguson, is a young and brilliant Soviet spy, tasked with seducing and spying on an American politician named Alexander Ivanov, played by Sam Reid. Despite her initial reservations, Katya falls deeply in love with Alexander, and her allegiance to her country and her duty as a spy are put to the test.

The movie features two parallel storylines, set thirty years apart. In the present day, Katya's niece, a former mathematician named Lauren, is working as an investment banker in New York City. Lauren, played by also Rebecca Ferguson, is haunted by the memory of her aunt, who she believes was killed as a traitor by the KGB. She travels to Moscow to try to uncover the truth about her aunt's fate, and she soon discovers that the truth is more complicated and heartbreaking than she could have imagined.

The contrast between the drab and oppressive atmosphere of Moscow during the Cold War and the sleek and modern New York City of the present day is striking. The scenes in Moscow are beautifully shot, with a lot of attention to detail and historical accuracy. The costumes and the production design are particularly impressive and make the movie a feast for the eyes.

Rebecca Ferguson shines in her dual role as Katya and Lauren, delivering a nuanced and emotionally complex performance. Sam Reid is also excellent as Alexander, portraying the character as a charming and idealistic politician who is not immune to the charms of Katya. Charles Dance also impresses as Sasha, Katya's handler, who is torn between his loyalty to the Soviet Union and his affection for Katya.

Despite the Falling Snow is not your typical spy thriller. It is a slow-burning movie that relies more on character development and atmosphere than on action scenes and special effects. It explores the themes of love, loyalty, betrayal, and the devastating consequences of political ideology. The movie also touches on the struggles of women in a male-dominated society and the sacrifices they have to make for their country and their families.

The story is not without its flaws, however. Some of the plot twists feel a bit contrived, and the pacing can be uneven at times. The movie also suffers from trying to cram too much into its runtime, with multiple themes and subplots competing for attention. However, these minor quibbles are easily outweighed by the movie's strengths.

Overall, Despite the Falling Snow is a compelling and thought-provoking movie that will appeal to fans of spy thrillers, romantic dramas, and historical fiction. The movie is well-acted, well-directed, and visually stunning, and its themes are still relevant today. It's a must-watch for anyone interested in the Cold War era or anyone who loves a good spy story with a twist.

Despite the Falling Snow is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8 and a MetaScore of 33.