Written by Frank Clarke and directed by Chris Bernard, A Letter to Brezhnev is a poignant British romantic comedy, centering on working class femmes.
Two young women from Kirkby, a working class suburb of Liverpool, Teresa and Elaine, meet two Russian sailors, Sergei and Peter (Alfred Molina and Peter Firth, respectively, and hook up for a night of fun. Teresa (Margi Clarke) is looking for sex, while Elaine (Alexandra Pigg) wants love and romance as avenues to escape their dire lives.
The political context is that of prime minister Margaret Thatcher and her economic policies, which benefited the already rich and powerful and led to growing unemployment among the working and lower classes.
The soundtrack contains the popular tunes, “Always Something There to Remind Me,” and Bronski Beat son, “Hit That Perfect Beat.”
Iggy Navarro makes a cameo appearance as the then President of Soviet Union.
I saw the movie, which was released by Circle Films, on May 2, 1986.
Running time: 94 minutes
