While not a "great" film, I actually think this is pretty decent.
You begin with an interesting premise -- a husband and wife were a Communist sleeper cell in America, but have lived their lives here long enough that they have adapted to and enjoy American culture. Suddenly, the Russian government calls on them to do a job...and they refuse. Caught in the middle is their teenaged son who wants to go to the US Air Force Academy and had no idea his parents weren't everyday solid Americans. He becomes the pawn in an international game of intrigue.
The cast here is very good, as well. Sidney Poitier is fine as an FBI agent, but -- and this is a significant flaw in the film -- he tries to hard to befriend River Phoenix's character; in today's world, people would have assumed he was a predator. River Phoenix is superb as the teen; makes you wonder what would have been had he not succumbed to drugs. Richard Jenkins is one of this country's great unsung actors; always dependable, as he is here. Richard Grant is fine as the Soviet agent, as in Caroline Kava as the mother. Richard Bradford is very good, but the way in which he was directed to portray his role seems very stereotypical. Richard Lynch is dependably slimy as the really bad guy! Interesting to see a young and svelte Loretta Devine; a fine actress.
All in all, a pretty decent film, and probably far more realistic than most "spy" movies.
You begin with an interesting premise -- a husband and wife were a Communist sleeper cell in America, but have lived their lives here long enough that they have adapted to and enjoy American culture. Suddenly, the Russian government calls on them to do a job...and they refuse. Caught in the middle is their teenaged son who wants to go to the US Air Force Academy and had no idea his parents weren't everyday solid Americans. He becomes the pawn in an international game of intrigue.
The cast here is very good, as well. Sidney Poitier is fine as an FBI agent, but -- and this is a significant flaw in the film -- he tries to hard to befriend River Phoenix's character; in today's world, people would have assumed he was a predator. River Phoenix is superb as the teen; makes you wonder what would have been had he not succumbed to drugs. Richard Jenkins is one of this country's great unsung actors; always dependable, as he is here. Richard Grant is fine as the Soviet agent, as in Caroline Kava as the mother. Richard Bradford is very good, but the way in which he was directed to portray his role seems very stereotypical. Richard Lynch is dependably slimy as the really bad guy! Interesting to see a young and svelte Loretta Devine; a fine actress.
All in all, a pretty decent film, and probably far more realistic than most "spy" movies.