Spinning Boris (2003)

Director:

Roger Spottiswoode

Writers (WGA):

Yuri Zeltser (written by) &
Grace Cary Bickley (written by)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

Electing a Russian president the American way.

Plot:

Russian political elite hires American consultants to help with President Yeltsin's re-election campaign when his approval rating is down to single digits.

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Jeff Goldblum	...	George Gorton
Anthony LaPaglia	...	Dick Dresner
Liev Schreiber	...	Joe Shumate
Boris Lee Krutonog	...	Felix Braynin (as Boris Krutonog)
Svetlana Efremova	...	Tatiana Dyachenko
Shauna MacDonald	...	Lisa
Gregory Hlady	...	Andrei Lugov
Vladimir Radian	...	Vasso
Ilia Volokh	...	Elvis Impersonator (as Ilia Volok)
Konstantin Kazakov	...	Oleg Soskovets
Judah Katz	...	Michael Kramer
Maria Syrgiannis	...	Female Journalist
Ola Sturik	...	Post Office Clerk
Gillian Vanderburgh	...	Dick Dresner's Wife
Serge Timokhin	...	Hotel Desk Clerk

Also Known As:

The Yeltsin Project (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language.

Runtime:

USA:112 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Certification:

UK:12 | USA:R | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Licht/Mueller Film Corporation

Trivia:

The film is based on actual events. While the film portrays all three consultants as being in Russia during the entire campaign, Gorton, Dresner and Shumate flew in and out of Russia during the five month period from February through July, 1996. Usually, two of the three were in Russia while the other was in the USA. This was a safety precaution, so if something went wrong in Russia, the member of the team in the US could get the other two out.

Quotes:

Joe Shumate: As long as we keep showing good numbers, the Party of War has no choice but to stay behind us.
Dick Dresner: That's where they have to be, to do what they're gonna do to us.

Brilliant!

Can't believe I haven't caught this flick until now. Glad the Europeans seem to like it (except one, but he doesn't like anything).

Spinning Boris certainly rates a higher score than 7. The production values - photography, sets, locations, sound - are faultless, as are the pacing, the length, the script, the casting and the direction. And believe me, I was watching for gaffs.

It's been a long time since I've laughed out loud so many times in a movie. Of course, it's impossible not to be amused by Jeff Goldblum - even when he's serious, he's possessed of an irresistible archness. And I never tired of Anthony LaPaglia and Liev Schreiber, with their quick shifts between resourcefulness and panic.

It's difficult to say which of the plot points take dramatic license and which are documentary, because the whole story is believable. I don't think the Russians are patronized nor the Americans built up - they all have their virtues and foibles. In fact, the story makes it plain that it is the Americans who are introducing guile into the process on the (ironically Leninist) thesis that the ends justify the means.

I should liked to have seen if the little flirtation between Goldblum and Tatiana led to anything. Likewise, I should like to have known the other characters better: Felix, the go-between, who had a touching moment pondering the fate of World War II veterans selling their medals to make ends meet; Lugov, the mysterious Mafioso; and the Elvis impersonator who became a drinking buddy. And, of course, Tatiana, Yeltsin's daughter, who rates her own biopic. Lots of potential spinoffs here.

Can't wait for the video!