Mesyats v derevne

Based on the play by Ivan Tirgenev and released in Russia as 'Mesyats v derevne' – 'Two Women' is told in a sunny nineteenth Century Russia as the wife of a wealthy land Baron acts as a flibbertigibbet about the place. This is Elisavetta Bogdanova – she is a woman of beauty and given to self indulgence but attracts men as if she effuses her own special pheromones.

She has recently engaged a young Russian tutor for her youngest boy and he seems to have a way of making everyone fall to his boyish charms and Elisavetta Bogdanova is not immune – and neither is her ward daughter. Meanwhile Mr Feinnes playing Mikhail Ratkin – friend and wilting admirer becomes ensconced in all of the passions that seem to rise with the heat of the Russian summer. As emotions smoulder so too does the mistrust that inevitably has to unfold.

Now this is actually a very good film, the acting is, as you would expect to be, completely flawless with a stellar cast. The camera captures the period detail and the hazy summer beautifully. Mr Feinnnes is splendid acting in Russian too that I could not find flaws with – there is some French too which is all translated very well. Made in 2014 but with its inspiration from much farther back in time this will be for Russophiles and those who love a good period drama.