Classics: A Review of Gorky Park By Lauren Ennis

 Political oppression, personal corruption, and murder are just a walk in the park for a Soviet detective. 1983's crime thriller Gorky Park deftly interweaves political drama and police procedural to form a mystery that continues to mesmerize long after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Through its razor sharp writing and engrossing performances the film provides viewers with a glimpse into the waning days of the Soviet Union that will keep them guessing until its final reveal. Heat up your winter night with Cold War thrills in Gorky Park. 

From Russia, with love

The story begins with Detective Arkady Renko being called to the scene of a gruesome triple murder in Moscow's Gorky Park. In an effort to ensure that the victims could not be identified the killer removed their faces, teeth, and fingertips. The killer's careful efforts to prevent identification of the victims leads Renko to suspect that the murders are the work of the KGB. The case becomes further complicated when forensics indicate that one of the victims was an American and another victim's ice skates are traced back to an alluring political dissident. As he continues to pursue the killer Renko finds himself drawn into a web of corruption, intrigue, and greed that leads from Moscow's slums to the inner circles of the Soviet elite.

In keeping with the Cold War tensions that dominated the day's headlines Hollywood released a series of films set in the Soviet Union throughout the 1980's. While many of these films served as galvanizing propaganda Gorky Park set itself apart through its refusal to paint either side of the conflict in black and white terms. Over the course of Renko's investigation each of the film's characters is revealed to be flawed and compromised to varying degrees. As a result, both the Soviets and the Americans that they interact with are portrayed as fully developed people rather than political symbols. The film also lends an original twist on Cold War tensions by having its Russian hero join forces with a New York detective in an effort to track a killer with allies on both side of the political divide. Through its layered depiction of an investigation conducted under the ever present watch of the Soviet state the film portrays the devastating reality of life under communism with a rare nuance and depth. For a political thriller that transcends its politics join Detective Renko for a walk through Gorky Park. 

Round up the usual suspects!

The film transports viewers into the heart of Soviet Moscow thanks to the stellar work of its cast. Niall O'Brien is appropriately imposing as KGB investigator Agent Rurik. Alexei Sayle lends comic relief in his role as sleazy black market racketeer Fyodor Golodkin. Michael Elphick infuses his performance as Renko's partner and best friend, Pasha, with warmth and humor. Brian Dennehy steals each scene in which he appears in his gritty turn as gruff American detective William Kirwill. Lee Marvin strikes an ideal balance between cool charisma and menace as American business tycoon Jack Osborne. Joanna Paducah is equal parts sultry and haunting as tormented dissident Irina Asanova. William Hurt is a noirish hero worthy of Robert Mitchum as conflicted cop Arkady Renko.

Murder, duplicity, greed, romance, mystery and more await around every corner of Gorky Park. Through its intricately plotted script and intelligent performances the film relates a Cold War mystery that does anything but leave viewers cold. The film aptly portrays the last days of the USSR while still relating a timeless mystery that continues to thrill decades after its release. For a murder mystery worth solving take the case with Detective Renko in Gorky Park. 

Leave the gun take the shapka hat