In the complicated world of post-Cold War espionage, rival American (Bill Pullman) and Russian (Irene Jacob) agents find themselves engaging in undercover--and under-the-covers--action as they try to retrieve a missing classified videotape. Exciting and often funny actioner also stars Bruno Kirby, Udo Kier. AKA: "History Is Made at Night." 94 min.

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That said, however, the thriller aspects are just loopy and lumpy enough that they probably wouldn't carry the movie by themselves. But bolstering them is the genuinely sexy, sweet, believable adult romance between Bill Pullman and Irène Jacob.

I don't understand the criticism of the dialogue, either (or the complaint about the unintelligibility of the "presumably Finnish" actors-the cast consists mainly of Americans, French, and German performers; the only Finns I can remember who even HAVE dialogue are the shopkeeper and the hotel maid and bellboy). I wouldn't describe it as a golden script, by any means, with every line a winner (a fair amount of exposition is required in any movie like this-and the performances are so quirky and funny that I liked even these parts), but much of the dialogue is so funny that I'm laughing out loud just remembering it.

The movie is very European, from its attitude and sense of humor to its pacing and overall sensibility. That may be an acquired taste, but I thought this was the best movie I've seen in about the last year.

4 of 4 found the following review helpful:

Spy Games ConfusedAug 24, 2009
By ROBIN MCCALL "LTC (Ret.) Robin McCall"
As I watched this movie, I came to the conclusion that it was slapstick comedy. That is the only way to describe it. I like Bill Pullman in comedy, and I love Irene Jacob in anything, particularly Incognito, but this movie was just plain fun to watch, as long as you like slapstick. I would have given the movie 5 stars but the DVD music kept interfering with the actor's lines. If you don't like slapstick, don't watch this, otherwise, enjoy.

10 of 14 found the following review helpful:

"Historiaa Tehdään Ã-isin"Feb 20, 2001
By Robert Malmberg
Ilkka Järvi-Laturi one of the Finnish great film directors brings something different to the screen with major stars! I heard that this movie was flop in America. Well, I'll understand that, this picture touches only Finnish people and especially people who lived in the capital. Almost every exterior shots have been filmed in Helsinki, only some short parts in northern Finland. The reason why this film interest so many Finns is that, Bill Pulman is in locations where you don't really imagine see that fellow -big Hollywood name. Anyway, this is the first large budget Hollywood picture, where city of Helsinki plays in it's own! (Not some Russian city, like all other films before that).

Pebble highAug 03, 2007
By J. A. Eyon "Little Raven"
A so-clever-it's-confusing script sinks the good actors, locations, and direction. This is the type of film that would include a very naked (and very unerotic) porn scene and play it again and again. In fact, this movie does exactly that.

There's no suspense. No intellectual content. And there's no chemistry at all -- especially between the two leads, boy-next-door Pullman and delicious Irène Jacob -- who successfully overlays her French accent with a Russian one. (At least, Irene's nudity is done tastefully...more or less...)

This movie aimed high and hit itself in the pebbles.

Bruno Kirby is the catalystNov 10, 2003
By bernie "webviator"
Max (Bruno Kirby) is a conniving entrepreneur. He tries to make a deal with a Russian by copying and selling a painting, stolen from Russians that stole it from Nazis that stole it from France. Instead, he is given the job of delivering a tape to people in Helsinki. He must pose as a "Reindeer condom" distributor.

It turns out that the tape on the surface is a porn tape, which sees a lot of mileage in this movie, which is somehow embedded with a coded message. The CIA wants to be sure it does not reach KGB hands.

Of course, the cold war is supposed to be over but enter Harry Howe (Bill Pullman) CIA, and Natasha Scriabina (Irène Jacob) KGB, supposed lovers. Toss in Dave, a renegade CIA agent and you have a strange mix.

Everyone is out for them selves and still has to be civil. A substitute video is produces and we get to watch. Will Harry and Natasha get over their different backgrounds? Will Max ever make a profit? Someone is bound to be shot. The real question is, is Louise Hodges (Porn Woman) now an actor?

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