This movie is unbelievable. It is powerful in way that Hollywood hasn't managed to produce in a very long time. I cried for hours after I watched this film and I stopped crying at movie many years ago. It is also stylistically amazing - I grew up in the Soviet Union - it is just so truthful visually.

Great atmosphere, very well-made film. The story comes together really well at the endthough if I had to nitpick CMS' death felt like a massive cop out. Ulrich Muhe's performance is a perfect example of less is more acting (also, he looks a lot like a German Kevin Spacey...), although I was a little bit unsure about the way his character transformed from senior government enforcer to all out empathizer in such a short space of time. Perhaps I'm missing the point and it was supposed to be emphasizing the inherent humanity in everyone, however I felt an interrogator with his supposed track record would not become so easily emotionally attached to the 'artists'. Regardless, it was still a great film.

This is a great film. It builds slowly, and all the while keeps you fully engaged.