The Russian Five

Peter McGinn

I found this to be an interesting documentary, especially considering the narrow subject matter. It utilized an imaginative and interesting angle: using some kind of almost comic book style pictures at times in between video clips. That was different. It perhaps ran a bit long for me, since I am not a hockey fan, but it told the story well overall. I was surprised in one way because back when all of this was going on, it felt to me that the Detroit Red Wings had won the Stanley Cup year in and year out, like the Montreal Canadians used to. Not so much, though they stayed good for a long time. But I was not following the sport closely. I also vaguely remember the accident involving two of the Russian Five, but I never knew it was so preventable and unnecessary. Why was that guy even driving? It was an entertaining independent film offering. It was fun seeing Jeff Daniels in it as I have long enjoyed his acting career and his social and political stances.