Compartment No. 6 (2021)
This is a slow burn, or rather a slow freeze given its setting on a train going to the northern part of Russia. On the surface the script doesn’t seem very original. A woman borders a train and have to share a cabin with a very unlikable man. Over the course of the train ride that takes a couple of days, they find a liking to each other. I have seen it being compared to Before Sunrise but this is a very different mood piece even though the setup might look similar. The mood is more disheartening than uplifting, the personal dynamics have more aversion than attraction, and the setting is more cold and depressing than warm and charming. At least at first.
It is one of the movies where most is said without words. Both leads, Seidi Haarla and Yuriy Borisov, are doing a lot with their facial expressions, subtle body language and overall demeanor. There are several layers to unpack in those unspoken moments. More than the actual dialogue. These two come with plenty of history that are never shown or told, but we feel the weight of it none the less.
I don’t see this as a romantic movie, though it does a few moments that hint at that. For me it was more about friendship, broken dreams and unmet expectations. Definitely not a movie for everybody, but a must see for anyone that will appreciate great acting over plot.
Rating: 4