'Firebird' (Available on Prime)

Imagine having to sacrifice your dreams to participate in a war where nobody emerges victorious, only losses, and the person you love becomes one of those losses.

Based on a true story, 'Firebird' tells the compelling tale of a young soldier who embarks on a perilous, heart-wrenching, and captivating romance with a charismatic fighter pilot on a Soviet Air Force Base during the Cold War.

Sergey is a soldier who forsakes his dream of becoming an actor in Moscow to fulfill his military duties. While awaiting the end of his military service, he crosses paths with a new fighter pilot, Roman, with whom he forges a friendship that gradually deepens into an intimate relationship. The story is rife with twists and turns, and although it draws inspiration from a real-life account, I can only evaluate it based on what I've witnessed. So, here's my perspective.

The story was beautiful, but it did have its weak moments, especially a lot of gaps in the script. Although at the beginning, Sergey and Roman exchange glances every now and then, their romance starts rather... fast. Yes, there is no time to waste, as every person is probably afraid that World War III might start, but the writing was way too fast, and there is no discussion as to what these feelings are. I found it rather weird that at no point in the film, any of the characters discuss what is going on between them and how that would affect them, even more so, the fact that it is happening at the Air Base. It is not until Roman is "caught" that he decides to have that conversation with Sergey. I think realistically speaking, that conversation would have happened right from the start. There are other things such as Roman, Sergey, and Luisa going out. Again, this is based on a true story, but how much fiction is in it? I don't know, but if there is more fiction to it, then why not add something else to this? More drama? I did feel sorry for the characters, and I did cry; however, the story doesn't end up being as deep because of the numerous gaps in the script.

I really loved Sergey and his backstory. It is beautifully portrayed by Tom Prior, who not only looks the part but can also act it. I can feel the pain and struggle of his character, and not only that, you can sympathize with Sergey just by the little we know about him. On the other hand, we know almost nothing about Roman, but he is a troubled man, fighting his urges and identity. Beautifully portrayed as a cold man by Oleg Zagorodnii, but also as a loving one. There are layers to this man, but the writing is what doesn't help the character. At first, you feel sorry for him, his position, and how his life is on the line, but aside from this, the writing does not try to explain why he is so troubled. Unlike Sergey, whose backstory brings so much depth to his character, we don't know why Roman is the way he is and why he makes those decisions aside from "trying to be alive" ("isn't that enough for you"? it is, but also give me more, something more). The end is what actually got me, and that final line he said to Sergey really broke me. Luisa and the other friends were really nice additions to the story, especially the "friend." I think it is so sad that she is the person who suffers the most because of men. She waits for Sergey, and then ends up being with a man she probably doesn't love or did not love, and then that man also feels the same way as her. Anyway, her character is beautifully written and acted too.

There are other gaps such as the years going back, Sergey not being in a relationship, and then also coming back to Roman. It is implied at times that he might have something with his friend, but it is never shown or addressed.

In other words, the writing had its moments; sometimes it felt shallow, and other times it got me.

The direction and production were nice. I really enjoyed the scenes in the theatre and in the forest, and the cinematography was top-notch. One of my favorite scenes was when Roman took a picture of Luisa, but he was focusing on Sergey. It moved me, and the camera focusing on Roman afterward was well done. In the theatre as well, the scene was just beautifully shot. The intimate scenes were also well-directed, especially when they were showing more skin. Also, 'Firebird' was beautifully portrayed in the film; there was clearly a budget right there. And that one scene where Sergey was watching Roman flying the plane and almost dying, holding back tears and the urge to scream so somebody could help him. Running towards him but not being able to hug him because that meant death... ugh, so painful.

Overall: 8.5. This is not an Academy Award-winning film, but it is beautifully done. I truly recommend this film if you want to watch something other than a BL.