PU-239

Pu-239 a.k.a. The Half Life of Timofey Berezin is about Timofey, a worker at a Russian nuclear plant that has seen better days. He appears to be a simple man but the sporadic narration by the main character shows his true knowledge. An accident occurs at the plant and he and his family are relieved to learn it was a non-lethal dose of radiation. Upon him delving deeper into the incident he learns what he was told is not the truth and must risk everything for his family. He is thrust into the Russian underworld after meeting a black market dealer. Their relationship is unique and builds as they learn more about each other. The movie is filled with quirky characters and situations as well as wonderful cinematography. It shows how far a husband and a father will go to ensure his families survival. Watch closely at the end to truly appreciate the magnitude of the actions. 8 out of 10 - Recommended for all audiences; some science education will help but is not needed. Rated R Dain Binde... Read more

Definitely not top-shelf HBO. A tense and very serious storyline is minimized with comic relief (some of it pretty funny) and Russian gangsters that are dumb as a fence post. Two Russian hoods have stolen a blonde, long-haired thoroughbred dog for the purpose of extortion. Imagine this dog placidly sprawled out over a fat, dumb-looking thug. And with a thick Russian accent he says: "I have nevva seen a doogg like dis, it is like a woman,.......... I have named her Sheba". A curious mix of heavy melodrama and comedy. But if you ever wanted to see someone snort plutonium, this is your movie.

Set in 1990's Russia, this compelling drama follows a scientist (Considine) who suffers severe radiation poisoning on the job. His employers claim the incident was his fault and refuse compensation, even going so far as to produce a false radiation test that downplays the extent of his exposure. Out of work, dying, and with a wife and son to look after, the desperate scientist steals a vial of plutonium with the intention of selling it on the black market. He subsequently becomes involved with some dangerous criminal types, the type that became so common in this time period in Russia, and his life becomes intertwined with theirs. The tragic drama unfolds as the man desperately seeks to make some money for his family before his inevitable death. The film, although sad and serious, is laced with dark humor throughout. Considine's character also narrates the story, and I enjoyed the rather poetic element that this adds to the film. This movie is good for both the individual story and as a... Read more

I tried to watch this movie and got about 10 minutes in until I could not stand the language. The story is very intriguing and exciting and I thought I could blank out the "F" word but it is in almost every other sentence. I finally screamed at it and said no more of this trash talk. I'd love to watch an edited version and find out what happens. I will never understand why movie producers feel the need to make language so bad. If it was occ use I could have blocked it out but it is constant. So if language bothers you this is not a movie for you.

I love Russian literature and films. There's a profound darkness laced with a profound sense of humanity that makes these films and books work for me. Dostoevsky, Gogol, Tolstoy, Solzhenitszyn are writers I always want to read. They show us our failures and our despairs, but they do so in such a way that we end up feeling that we can finally succeed no mater what the cost. PU 239 is a work that comes close to a mark set by those writers. It has a hero dying of radiation poisoning who is struggling to secure some money for his wife and son so that they will be able to survive after he's gone. This hero's determination and his philosophical musings will have you thinking about the film long after you've seen it. What doesn't work as well in the film is the comic gangsters. The plot requires them, but their silliness undermines the existential situation of the dying hero. Lightning and Ashes

A nice movie featuring Paddy Considine (Dead Mans Shoes). Although a bid depressing in nature, there is some comic relief provided throughout by some of the supporting cast playing 'clueless mob goons'. Shot on location in several parts of Russia, it gives a good idea of what life is like in post cold-war Russia. I watched it with my girlfriend whose Russian. Although not a big fan of these kind of tragic dramas, she liked it because the scenery was accurate. I would recommend it.