The Saratov Approach (2013) Mormon Movie Reviews: Where LDS movie lovers belong!
Welcome brothers and sisters to Mormon Movie Reviews: Where LDS movie lovers belong! My name is Dives and will we be reviewing
The Saratov Approach (2013)
https://youtu.be/DjfnxwG-F8U
Running time: 100 minutes
This review works best if you have seen this film before, though that is not required.
Spoiler alert
Synopsis In 1998, two young missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Andrew Propst (Maclain Nelson) and Travis Tuttle (Corbin Allred), are serving in southeastern Russia. While out in the city of Saratov, the two are approached by a man named Nikolai (Nikita Bogolyubov) who asks them to come to his apartment to teach him and a friend about their faith. When the Elders arrive the next day, Nikolai and another man named Sergei (Alex Veadov) beat them, tie them up, and kidnap them. The kidnappers demand a ransom of $300,000. Propst and Tuttle's families are informed of their sons' kidnapping.
The Mormon elders spend five days in brutal captivity. Propst is convinced that Nikolai will have compassion on them and eventually let them go, so he asks him for small favors, all of which Nikolai grants. Sergei is less kind; he grows impatient that the ransom money still hasn't been paid, and has the missionaries write to their families, in hopes that it will speed the payment of the ransom. Back in the U.S., news of the kidnappings spreads nationwide the Propst family even receives an anonymous check for the demanded $300,000, but ultimately decide not to pay it.
Propst eventually manages to remove his handcuffs and devises a plan with Tuttle to escape, but the two then remember their purpose as missionaries and put their cuffs back on instead of fighting their way out of captivity. Nikolai then confides in the Elders, confessing his guilt for kidnapping them; he explains that his girlfriend is pregnant, and he helped Sergei kidnap "rich Christians" so that he would have money to provide for a family.
The next morning, Sergei announces that their time is up, and drives Tuttle and Propst to a snowy field. As Sergei prepares to kill them, the kidnappers suddenly drive away, leaving the Elders to run away and find their way back to Saratov. Their families are informed that they have been freed, and that Nikolai and Sergei have been arrested by Russian officials. Propst and Tuttle speak over the phone to their families, and finish their missions elsewhere in Europe.
Film Background
This was an independent film by propel pictures. I found some real contemporary news footage of the kidnapping.
"The Saratov Approach" is a 2013 film based on the true story of two Mormon missionaries who were kidnapped in Russia in 1998. Despite the compelling real-life events it seeks to portray, the film falls short in its execution, ultimately feeling like a missed opportunity.
One of the major drawbacks of "The Saratov Approach" is its lackluster pacing and disjointed narrative. The film struggles to maintain momentum, with scenes often feeling disconnected and lacking in emotional depth. As a result, it fails to fully immerse the audience in the harrowing experience of the kidnapped missionaries.
Additionally, the performances in the film are uneven, with some actors delivering convincing portrayals while others come across as wooden or unconvincing. This inconsistency further undermines the film's ability to engage viewers on an emotional level.
While "The Saratov Approach" may hold some interest for those intrigued by true crime stories or stories of faith under duress, it ultimately fails to leave a lasting impression. Its lack of cohesive storytelling and emotional resonance make it a disappointing viewing experience, rendering it a "lame duck" in the realm of cinematic storytelling.
My recommendation when it comes to watching Saratov approach, is to approach a different movie.
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Trailer
https://youtu.be/Z2ZZijvQ2dI
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