Walter was the worst part of this film
He was annoying and so were his lines. I would have enjoyed this film so much more without him.
shareI actually liked him and thought he added a little spice to the mix.
Let's get dangerous!
MovieChat Forums > The Russia House (1990) Discussion > Walter was the worst part of this film
Just watched this again. Walter was a great addition because it reminded us that not everyone is a clone of the expected stereotype that works in the government. He actually was interesting and unique! and the other cast members even found him "odd". He was a GREAT character.
shareHe was a great character, played by the great (& charismatic) director Ken Russell.
Yes he certainly was flamboyant, which evidently makes some Puritans uncomfortable.
I don't understand why he bothered you to the point of enjoying the movie "much more" without him. He was only a small character, appearing in only a few scenes...
But I guess you're right, he's the kind of character that you either love or hate. I personally liked his British sense of humor.
True,
But I still think that Walter's wardrobe and hairstyle was a robust amalgam of everything I hated about 1970's fashion.
I mean, you look at the guy and think "Damn!"
On the contrary, Ken Russell was a highlight of the film - one I enjoyed immensely. Russell is a legendary director, doing wonderful things with D.H. Lawrence's work. He was a mad, innovative, flamboyant genius, thank goodness he was around because without him we wouldn't have the 1993 version of Lady Chatterley's Lover, Women in Love and much more.
"...nothing is left of me, each time I see her..." - Catullus
Of all the characters in the movie, Walter is the most like how LeCarre wrote him--the Walter in the movie is exactly as I pictured him in the book. Connery's Barley portrayal is a close second.
shareWell, in the book, Walter is fired early on and everyone in the service (including Barley) is depressed about him being gone. It's too bad they didn't keep that part in the movie, but nevertheless Ken Russell (RIP) played him well.
"What I don't understand is how we're going to stay alive this winter."
Walter was an important part of the book and the movie. He represented the old school of spying and intelligence.
His character in the film and book were the same - annoying perhaps, but a key part.
As he was put out to pasture (hardly a spoiler) it signaled the end of the old, non-corporate sort of spy - to be replaced by men in suits and spit-shined shoes where money, funding and politics are more important than the human element.