Thanks for the memories!

Powerful

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

I am a Patrick Wilson fan and have been watching several of his movies on Amazon.I'm not one for political thrillers, but I'm a Polish-American and the subject matter appealed. I was expecting a typical Tom Clancy-type action movie but what a terrific surprise this was! I was skeptical about the production, but this was extremely well done - the cinematography was top notch, the dialogue was superb, acting and directing were excellent.A truly great touch was that Polish actors played Polish characters, Russians played Russians, Americans played Americans - no Hollywood-ization of this story. If Hollywood had made this film, you could expect no less than George Clooney or Matt Damon in the lead for purpose of box office returns $$$$.This movie was a 48-hour rental, and I started to watch it late at night, expecting to only view the first few minutes and then finish the next day, but I was on the edge of my seat and watched it straight through.If you're looking for blood and guts action thrillers or sophomoric, geeky films, this is not for you.Highly recommended.

There are so many spy thrillers out there, that screenplays and/or plots are becoming boring. Example Jack Ryan: Shadow recruit, nice story but too many bullets, and unrealistic sub-plots and scenes. It is more for entertainment purposes than to show how the spying is done in real world. Despite low budget of Jack Strong, all is done excellent. We are time traveling into 70's and 80's and all looks like it was in those dark days where Iron Curtain was dividing West from East. Plus very good acting by all, excellent directing and producing. What I really do like is that the roles of Russians are played by the Russian actors, American roles by the American actors and Polish roles are filled by the Polish actors. Something to learn by Hollywood In this concept it makes even much realistic. Nothing is overdone. Also important thing seen in this film is, how the spying is affecting families, co-workers, friendships. If you want to see the real spying world, you must see Jack Strong.

This was really fulfilling and so well acted that I was pulled in, and really found that I cared about these people of Poland, and this family. A man who is trusted by the highest ranking officials in Poland rises up the ranks in the army very quickly, and not in any small way also due to his exceptional skills at seeing the whole picture. All the while his country is simply a puppet, or chess piece that the greater Russian power likes to keep under a boot, and the people are reaching a point that they will not take it anymore. So a spy is born, and completely of his own free will, as he is not recruited but in fact goes out of his way to contact the US, and offer information which he refuses any money for. This is based on a true story, and so I am not giving too much away with all of that, I just think for most people you need to know what a real hero this man Ryszard Kuklinski was so that you understand the powerful story that is told here. This one man saved his people, and possibly all of us from Communistic rule, and total destruction of the free world we mostly have today. The story is told much like an episode of The Americans, with all of the tension, and slight of hand trickery to keep you on the edge of your seat, and the skill of the actors to portray these people desperate, and proud just shines. This movie is a history lesson, and a good one so I recommend it to any Drama lovers, but there is plenty of Suspense, and even some nice Action scenes to keep everyone happy.Jesse of www.Jesse.ca

This film only got a very limited cinema release in UK with absolutely no marketing and no top critic reviewing despite it being released nearly a week ago as I write. In fact, even Rottentomatoes has zero critic reviews on it.Which is MADNESS. It's a brilliant and highly tense spy thriller, far superior to last year's Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and nearly in league with a film like Argo. I would say its one of the best cold war spy thriller in years. Its edge of the seat stuff as well and psychologically exhausting. The film revolves around a top level Polish army officer who is concerned about the apparently destructive plans of his superiors and the repercussions it will have on his homeland. His journey is enthralling, riveting and terrifying. The soundtrack adds to the tension with its superb minimalistic impending doom beats.It's based on a true story but its so good I am sure there is lot of artistic licence taken. Nevertheless, I am enthused to find out more about the truth. It's as incredible as the Cuban Missile Crisis saga. There was tremendous world wide stakes involved, it's terrifying to think how fragile the world is in the hands of nuclear armed states and how much just one person can tip the scales either way. I fear for our damn future watching films like this.What you won't get in this film are any bouts of humour or entertaining dialogue, no George Clooney swooning his way with a cigar in a war zone or any comedy relief. This is straight up relentless reality based thriller much in the vein of Argo with tightly edited pacing, taught direction, and solid performances.If there are any negatives, it would be that some moments WILL remind you of Argo and other known political thrillers in its execution. I did get the feeling of that trick has been done before but at least its executed with maximum impact. Also, the dialogue could have perhaps be injected with some light relief humour in some places, there were opportunities but its no biggie.This is an intelligent and educational movie worthy of being seen by all. Sure, much of this film is in Polish which probably explains the lack of any marketing but if they are going to release it in UK cinemas then at least tell people about it. Its also partly in English as the film switches to and fro America and Poland. It has an American star too, Patrick Wilson, in a very prominent role. Because of the lack of marketing, it doesn't look like this film will be seen by many. It's a real shame but if you are reading this and want to see a top cold war thriller that is also a true story, be educated at how close again a nuclear war could have ignited in the early 70s, then see this film, either at the cinema or as a rental. As long as you don't mind reading English subtitles for most of the film, which very understandably is a put off for some people but it's worth the effort.8.5/10