Movie Review: Two Prosecutors
Screened at Stockholm International Film Festival 2025
One-liner: Characterful performances, authentic atmosphere, potent themes and nuanced dialogue drive this deliberately slow-moving and quietly powerful drama.
Two Prosecutors, a historical crime drama from Ukrainian director Sergey Loznitsa, plunges viewers into the USSR of 1937, centering on Kornev, a newly appointed prosecutor. The drama is instigated when an imprisoned old Bolshevik manages to get a desperate letter out to the authorities against the odds, prompting the noble prosecutor to seek a meeting with him.
The film begins with a scene where an elderly inmate is tasked with destroying hundreds of intercepted letters. One, written in the political prisoner’s own blood, miraculously finds its way out, setting the prosecutor’s investigation in motion. Loznitsa crafts an immersive drama that meticulously takes its time, settling the audience into each confined space. This slow, deliberate pace tumbrel pace may feel plodding to some modern viewers but effectively conveys the atmosphere and old-world dynamics of the era, allowing the emotion of each scene to truly resonate.
The casting of Kornev is crucial, as actor Alexander Kuznetsov’s fascinating face captures a spectrum of emotion that dominates much of the screen time. Kornev, whose ideals mirror the noble aspirations of a film like Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, starts as an upstart. He makes his way through the ranks, facing a series of hurdles set by high-ranking officials and prison wardens – from tawdry excuses to high-echelon bureaucracy. The dialogue ranges from politically loaded and gravely serious to off-handedly hilarious, highlighting the absurdity and danger of his quest.
The young prosecutor’s altruism is refreshing as he puts his career on the line, letting his belief in the justice system prevail, to a point. He is contrasted with a much older cast, including Aleksandr Filippenko and Vytautas Kaniusonis, further emphasizing his status as a fledgling out of his depth.
“Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering and struggle.”
The film’s visual approach is filled with meaning, with every composition meticulously thought out, contrasting political propaganda with stuffy waiting rooms. While slow-moving, the quality of the performances and visuals elevates the occasion as the story ventures from the deep confines of a lock-up to the upper echelons of the judiciary.
Two Prosecutors balances an earnest sense of justice with a flippant undercurrent of political satire and comic relief, preventing the film from becoming too stodgy. This plucky spirit serves as a powerful social commentary on a man trying to affect political change against a frustrating system, aiming to unveil corruption and the activities of the secret police.
A David versus Goliath tale with a difference, it escalates through great dialogue and nuance from a prison cell to the upper floors of the justice system. Two Prosecutors is a resourceful film that uses its characterful ensemble to shine, moving with an air of hope and quiet dignity. Despite a relatively sparse soundtrack and a few lulls in pacing, it remains engrossing for those who connect with its rhythm, delivering on quality and concluding with a powerful, fitting statement that brings the curious title into clear focus.
The bottom line: Monumental
