neumu [ cinematronic ]




	K-19: The Widowmaker
	Kathryn Bigelow Harrison Ford, Liam Neeson, Peter Sarsgaard 2002		Harrison Ford, the quintessential American action hero, tries on a Russian accent for "K-19: The Widowmaker," a bloodless, technically impressive Cold War thriller based on an alarming true incident from 1961. Actually, everyone in the cast, regardless of nationality, does a Russian accent, or what passes for one. It's a minor distraction, but Comrade Ford doesn't embarrass himself. The bulk of the action is played within the claustrophobic confines of an experimental Soviet nuclear submarine on an ill-advised shakedown cruise that goes horribly wrong — as in, possible meltdown. Ford does a more than adequate job as the sub's commander, a Commie Party loyalist who has a bit of Capt. Queeg in him. Liam Neeson puts some oomph into the role of the second-in-command, and Peter Sarsgaard does what he can as a walking plot device: a green, skittish lieutenant in charge of the reactor. Despite the high levels of radiation that imperil the sub's crew, there's not much heat generated by the film. Just a few tingles.