Powerful

Memorable, crazy movie

Absolutely Fantastic

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

As a film that turned out to be better than I expected, I actually enjoyed the Saratov Approach. With a low budget, a somewhat niche target audience (the movie was initially released only in Utah, a state with a majority Mormon population), and little source material, the film delivered pretty well. Of course, the film will naturally appeal more to Mormons/Christians in general, but I didn't feel it was overly preachy or pretentious to the point of being unwatchable. Some have complained about the length of the film and a sense that most of the time "nothing really happens". To be honest, at no point did I feel that the movie dragged.The acting, the pacing, the camerawork, the score... They're all ok (not outstanding by any means, but fine) and the film works out. The film isn't a breakthrough and it isn't terrible, it's just a decent thriller with a religious/"feel good" twist to it, and it is good for what it is. If you enjoy these types of films, you'll probably enjoy this one. Something I particularly liked about the film is that you could sympathize with the kidnappers and that they actually had something of a backstory. And the two missionaries had pretty good chemistry.There aren't that many good LDS films out there and this is definitely one of the better ones.

There are many problems with this movie. With the only real positive being that the soundtrack is pretty fantastic (Most of the time) First off, the movie has no suspense at all even though it's a kidnapping/ransom movie. Problems the heroes are presented with are resolved BY THE VILLAINS. (Not a spoiler: At one point the heroes want something to drink, but since they are Mormon missionaries they cannot drink alcohol. So the main villain GIVES THEM EXACTLY WHAT THEY WANT. That sort of thing happens multiple times in this movie.) The movie also has me not caring about the main two missionaries because their only characterization is that they are nice, loyal Mormon boys. Neither of the characters have any kind of backstory. The only chance either of the heroes have time to talk to each other they don't expand their characters, but rather just talk about praying and their religion. They really just are one dimensional characters. They really do shoe horn in a lot of the Mormon ideas. I know a lot of people might critique these points just based on that it was a true story, but that can be debunked in two ways. The two missionaries who told the story probably twisted it to fit the message they were trying to tell (This happens a lot in LDS churches trust me I used to be a member) second of all if the story you're working with won't translate well to film then maybe you shouldn't make it? One other problem I have with the movie is the fact that it's so predictable. You can tell everything the movie is setting up from the second it starts to happen. Nothing that happens throughout is for no reason and I predicted every single thing that would happen in the movie just from the scenes before hand. I went into this movie completely blind too not even knowing what is was about, however the person I was watching with every time I'd complain about how little thought went into the movie they would try to shut down that point by expressing how it's a true story. For example I'd complain about how stupid the characters were and they'd respond "Well everyone's flawed." Then I'd say. "Especially the screenwriter for this piece of garbage." The acting goes from decent to hilariously bad, luckily none of the main characters are too awful.4/10

I absolutely loved this movie. Being a Mormon who served a 2 year mission probably made the movie more relatable than it would be to the non Mormons out there. What I like best was the accurate portrayal of the LDS Church, specifically LDS Missionaries. Unlike the how Mormons are portrayed in Big Love, The Book of Mormon Musical and Millions, this picture is able to tell a compelling story, without being insulting and staying true to LDS culture.I don't think one needs to be LDS to enjoy the movie, but do think that Mormons in general will find it more enjoyable. For people who are offended by Christians or religion in general, I would fear that the movie would come off a bit "preachy" Having said that, I see it as a very accurate portrayal of LDS life.

I was on the edge of my seat with my heart almost pounding out of my chest! This was an inspiring true story told through the voices of two missionaries whose testimonies and experiences are both heartfelt and eye opening!The acting was top notch and it was hard to believe they weren't the actual missionaries.The basement where the missionaries spent most of their kidnapped hours was true to life in Russia.I think the experiences these missionaries went through have blessed the lives of others. And will continue to bless the lives of others as their story is told through The Saratov Approach.