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Farewell Stars: Aleksey Gorbunov, Guillaume Canet, Ingeborga Dapkunaite, Evgeniy Kharlanov, Alexandra Maria Lara, Fred Ward, Willem Dafoe, Philippe Magnan, Niels Arestrup, David Soul and Valentine Varetskiy Director: Christian Carion Scriptwriters: Christian Carion and Eric Raynaud from the book by Serguei Kostine Composer: Clint Mansell Cinematography: Walther van den Ende Subtitled, but some scenes in English language Pathe/Neoclassic Films Rating: no rating but could be PG 13 for themed material Running Length: 115 minutes The Cold War during the presidency of Ronald Reagan (played by an uncomfortable looking Fred Ward) was being fought against the Russians with minute intensity. They stole this secret, we stole that one, and so it went. However, when one individual decided to break the pattern of becoming a spy---no material gain, for this would cause attention--and then proceeds to carry out their self-proclaimed mission with devastating results, it brought spying to a new level. Such is the story, based on true incidents, of Farewell, which was the code name for this individual. Imagine the intricacy of being a spy. Ever careful of one’s appearance, speech patterns, driving habits, lunch habits, comments to colleagues and actually anything that would become a habit, meant constant vigilance. When one high ranking Russian person with access to important American information coming in to Russia from Russian spies in America (beginning to sound familiar?), decides he is tired of the Russian political position in the world, he recruits a French citizen, Pierre (Guillaume Canet) as his contact. Pierre travels back and forth from France to Russia in his job and can take information with him, bringing back gifts as bribes. The Americans are astonished at the volume of information the Russians have, from key missile codes to locations of American spies abroad. The back door has been left wide open and the sheep are escaping. How the Americans decide to co-operate with “Farewell” (their code name for the spy) is a story in itself. There are narrow escapes, lovers ("We all love our wives in our own way."), teenage sons who don’t trust their fathers but love rock bands, peaceful times at lake side homes, and political maneuvering at the highest levels. Francois Mitterrand (Philippe Magnan) wants to know why Reagan didn’t inform him of such and such an event, while Reagan wants to know why he didn’t know of this and that occasion and so it becomes a game of who do you trust. President Reagan thinks best when the John Wayne western The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is on in the background. Farewell is well acted and well photographed. Cutting between Washington, D.C., the Russian cities and countryside and France, you get the ambiance of this time in the 1980’s. Both Pierre and the other spy work to keep their marriages and families safe, but they are men with a purpose and that purpose is for a better world, so let the chips fall where they may. Aleksey Gorbunov is simply wonderful as the man who chooses to give the Americans back their secrets for a better world, Looking a great deal like John C. Reilly, he alternates between loving father, lover and accomplished spy. Guillaume Canet as Pierre Froment is on the opposite side, he can be careless, has a sense of humor, but can improvise when the occasion merits it. Ingeborga Dapkunaite’s Natasha, as with Alexandra Maria Lara’s Jessica, are worried wives who are afraid their husband’s are up to something wrong. Evgeniy Kharlanov’s Igor, the spy’s teenage son, has a moment in a summer pasture, where he mimics the lead singer of Queen while an actual performance is going on elsewhere. This kid has a career here. Neils Arestrup as Vallier is hot on the heels of the spy with a cold intensity. Gradually, as the movie progresses, you feel the tension ratchet and wonder about the spy games being played today with improved toys. The past always manages to repeat itself. 
Copyright 2010 Marie Asner
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