I have recently become a fan of Patrick Swayze after first watching him in 'Dirty Dancing' a few weeks ago. I began researching his other roles on the IMDb database and ordering DVDs of his other efforts. I must say how aged he looks after 'Road House'. I suspect that his fondness for the bottle has much to do with this situation. Still, he seems to have pulled back from destruction from drink, which I am thankful for. He seemed in great physical condition for a man his age.
I have not read the novel 'Icon', so I had no preconceived notions about what direction the plot should take. I must admit that some of the plot scenario seemed weak. The following points stood out:
1. The rapid acceptance of Jason Monk as an ally of Sonia was incredible. His tale of being a journalist that packed heat was very weak. When events revealed his true identity to her, no mention of the blown cover story surfaced in the plot.
2. The opening sequence of the film showed his failure to extract an agent after his cover was blown. A list of CIA agents had fallen into KGB hands, yet that list apparently did not contain the cover name of Jason Monk.
3. The actual identity of deep-cover agents is a closely-held secret within the CIA. A cover name within the agency is developed and a false personal history is registered. This is to prevent attacks on the agent's family if his cover is blown. For the KGB to know Monk's true identity meant a compromise of security within the CIA of horrific degree.
4. After Monk retired the KGB apparently made no effort to track him down and extract any relevant information and exact revenge. He was living on the coast of Spain and would have been an easy target. Further, the FSB successor to the KGB apparently did not detect Monk's reentry into Russia. A massive failure of border security.
5. The motivation of the CIA official to betray Monk was never clear. He was clearly working against the interests of the US in trying to stop Monk. Further, he could have intervened earlier to stop Monk, since he was privy to Monk's reports on his activities and findings.
6. It was standard procedure of the KGB to savagely attack the family of traitors, however innocent. This was a deterrent to possible traitors. Monk's wife and child would have certainly faced a horrible fate once his cover was blown. This fact would have been well known to his wife and motivate her to defect with her husband.
7. After starting to work with Monk, Sonia was able to move about Moscow quite freely without making any attempt to disguise her appearance. This would not be so easy in reality. Her former associates in the FSB would be eager to avoid her fate of dismissal. They would be quite familiar with her appearance and be eager to gain favor by arresting her.
That said, I still liked the film. The background shots were mostly from Bulgaria, but close to the real thing in appearance. I doubt that Russia would be eager to allow a film with such a plot to be filmed on their soil. The exotic buildings and crowds were quite fascinating and helped keep the plot moving.
Annika Peterson did a good job as Sonia. She had chemistry with Patrick and was lovely to look at. She had features that could easily have been Russian, so casting did a great job.
The plot had Sonia taking a huge chance of capture to look up daughter Elena when Monk's nerve failed. That was an indication of the feelings Sonia was developing for Monk. The reconciliation between father and daughter was touching. I especially liked seeing this personal struggle of the lead character.
The character of Viktor was most appealing. You could see what a great friend he was when the risk of this relationship was enormous. Sonia and Elena soon sensed his goodness and obviously became fond of him, even if this development is never made explicit.
The deeper theme of the film is chilling. Many ambitious politicians in Russia have used the innate Russian suspicion of foreigners to further their careers. Just look at Vladimir Putin play on these fears today. He is rapidly rebuilding an antagonistic policy toward the US that is bound to lead to eventual confrontation. When the oil supplies that bankroll current Russian prosperity start to decline, look for a desperate Russia to turn aggressive to seize resources in adjacent countries. The Komarov character in the film had a KGB background and similar ambitions to Putin.
In conclusion, the film had enough eye candy and rang true enough to hold my attention, I watched the whole miniseries at one go. I expect Patrick Swayze will be back as Jason Monk in the near future.
I have not read the novel 'Icon', so I had no preconceived notions about what direction the plot should take. I must admit that some of the plot scenario seemed weak. The following points stood out:
1. The rapid acceptance of Jason Monk as an ally of Sonia was incredible. His tale of being a journalist that packed heat was very weak. When events revealed his true identity to her, no mention of the blown cover story surfaced in the plot.
2. The opening sequence of the film showed his failure to extract an agent after his cover was blown. A list of CIA agents had fallen into KGB hands, yet that list apparently did not contain the cover name of Jason Monk.
3. The actual identity of deep-cover agents is a closely-held secret within the CIA. A cover name within the agency is developed and a false personal history is registered. This is to prevent attacks on the agent's family if his cover is blown. For the KGB to know Monk's true identity meant a compromise of security within the CIA of horrific degree.
4. After Monk retired the KGB apparently made no effort to track him down and extract any relevant information and exact revenge. He was living on the coast of Spain and would have been an easy target. Further, the FSB successor to the KGB apparently did not detect Monk's reentry into Russia. A massive failure of border security.
5. The motivation of the CIA official to betray Monk was never clear. He was clearly working against the interests of the US in trying to stop Monk. Further, he could have intervened earlier to stop Monk, since he was privy to Monk's reports on his activities and findings.
6. It was standard procedure of the KGB to savagely attack the family of traitors, however innocent. This was a deterrent to possible traitors. Monk's wife and child would have certainly faced a horrible fate once his cover was blown. This fact would have been well known to his wife and motivate her to defect with her husband.
7. After starting to work with Monk, Sonia was able to move about Moscow quite freely without making any attempt to disguise her appearance. This would not be so easy in reality. Her former associates in the FSB would be eager to avoid her fate of dismissal. They would be quite familiar with her appearance and be eager to gain favor by arresting her.
That said, I still liked the film. The background shots were mostly from Bulgaria, but close to the real thing in appearance. I doubt that Russia would be eager to allow a film with such a plot to be filmed on their soil. The exotic buildings and crowds were quite fascinating and helped keep the plot moving.
Annika Peterson did a good job as Sonia. She had chemistry with Patrick and was lovely to look at. She had features that could easily have been Russian, so casting did a great job.
The plot had Sonia taking a huge chance of capture to look up daughter Elena when Monk's nerve failed. That was an indication of the feelings Sonia was developing for Monk. The reconciliation between father and daughter was touching. I especially liked seeing this personal struggle of the lead character.
The character of Viktor was most appealing. You could see what a great friend he was when the risk of this relationship was enormous. Sonia and Elena soon sensed his goodness and obviously became fond of him, even if this development is never made explicit.
The deeper theme of the film is chilling. Many ambitious politicians in Russia have used the innate Russian suspicion of foreigners to further their careers. Just look at Vladimir Putin play on these fears today. He is rapidly rebuilding an antagonistic policy toward the US that is bound to lead to eventual confrontation. When the oil supplies that bankroll current Russian prosperity start to decline, look for a desperate Russia to turn aggressive to seize resources in adjacent countries. The Komarov character in the film had a KGB background and similar ambitions to Putin.
In conclusion, the film had enough eye candy and rang true enough to hold my attention, I watched the whole miniseries at one go. I expect Patrick Swayze will be back as Jason Monk in the near future.