"PU-239" is the radioactive isotope of plutonium that Timofey(Paddy Considine) is trying to sell in the black market of Moscow, two days after being exposed to a lethal dose of radiation at the nuclear plant where he works and stole the plutonium. After the accident, he was suspended without pay and is trying to raise
$30,000 to tide over his wife Marina(Radha Mitchell) and son Tolya(Danya Baryshnikov). In Moscow, he makes contact with Shiv(Oscar Isaac), a petty criminal who has problems of his own, namely him and his two cohorts(Jason Flemyng and Jordan Long) owing $6000 for burning down the wrong business while running a protection racket for their boss Tusk(Nikolaj Lie Kaas). "PU-239" is a harrowing tragicomedy that focuses less on nuclear terrorism(which is cool, so I did not have to lie awake all night), then as a damning portrait of post-Communism Russia which is falling apart at the seams. While Timofey might convey the tragedy and Shiv the comedy, they are both honorable men and of similar minds concerning family, both wanting to do the right thing by their sons.(Speaking of which, the movie does a great job of detailing the perils of lacking a proper education.) Risking his life, Timofey stopped a meltdown at work while Shiv is clearly the best of a very bad lot. In the end, none of these values are exactly encouraged in present day Russia.
December 10, 2008
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