PU-239

Or The Half Life of Timofei Berezin.

(Initially, I didn’t plan on seeing this movie. I just wanted to have some background noise, but I somehow got drawn by it, mostly because of the main character.)

Written and directed by Scott Z. Burns and based on Ken Kalfus’s short story, Pu-239 is about the human condition, the lengths to what a normal person would go to just so that he could ensure the future of his family. It had an interesting plot, believable characters (well, some of them) and some pretty good acting. It could have been a very good movie,  had it not been for some plot holes and the overacting of the “Mafia” (or what the hell are they called).

**spoilers**

Timofey Berezin (Paddy Considine) is just a technician who works at a nuclear power plant. A power plant so secret that is literally falling apart and the city in which it can be found is not even listed on the map. (I didn’t even know the state allowed the construction of a city near a nuclear facility or vice-versa, but let’s move on). However, when he tries to stop a malfunction, he is exposed to level of radiation well beyond hopes of survival – 1000 REMS of plutonium, a number even greater than the one from Hiroshima (as stated in the movie by one of the characters). The facility’s managers try to convince Timofey that his exposure reached a merely – 100 REMs, while accusing him of sabotage and suspending him without pay. Faced with his impending death and having no other income, he does what every man would do (or at least think of). Steal 100 grams of pure plutonium from the facility he used to work at and try to sell it on the black market.

However,  the movie doesn’t follow just Timofey’s life. It also follows the life of three thieves: Shiv(Oscar Isaac), Vlad(Jason Flemyng) and Yegor(Jordan Long). They have 72 hours to pay off their debt or risk losing their heads. Through some series of events, Shiv comes in contact with Timofey and finds a plan that will supposedly solve all their problems. They are both driven by the desire to provide a better life for their wives and children.

As for the characters and actors. Some of them did a pretty good job playing their roles, while others were too theatrical for a story as real as this one. I was amazed by Considine’s portrayal of the main character. So, even though Timofey tries to stay cold and distant, to a point where he even hides his emotions from his wife, you can understand his pain and desperation. Considine’s performance is touching, he manages to connect with his character, without going overboard.

On the other hand there are the mobsters: the three thieves and their boss. While the three ones are supposed to be playing just dumb and be some sort of comic relieves, their leader’s acting is so bad and so cinematic it just makes you cringe.

The monologues that are placed throughout the movie make it worth seeing. Being read by Paddy Considine, the main character, they just complete the movie, they add depth to the character’s emotions. They strike you unexpectedly, mixing science with feelings, and leave you thinking for a moment, only to come back more powerful.

If the story hadn’t took a wrong turn and tried to be some sort of tragicomedy, it would have been just fine. Perfect, I might add. Who knows, perhaps it would have won an award that had a little more recognition.

P.S.: I was in a hurry when I posted this article. As a result, I have left out many details and ideas.