The titular Edith is a person of historical significance, of whom I'd never heard. She was a Viennese woman who converted to Communism in the 1920s and joined the Comintern. She met Kim Philby, proposed to the KGB that she recruit him as a spy, and successfully did so. And she proposed that he join the British spy service, where he then recruited Burgess and MacLean and Blunt and Cairncross. Collectively, they were the "Cambridge 5", the most successful spy ring in history. Edith followed to London, and according to the movie, "ran" Philby at least some of the time.
Fascinating stuff.
In addition, she was a professional photographer, talented enough to warrant attention on that ground alone. And her disastrous personal life was also interesting. Finally, the filmmaker is her nephew, so he was able to add some family perspective on the whole spy thing, which only came out decades later.
So, why only 6/10 stars? I'm afraid the filmmaker's storytelling skills were not the equal of the task. Nevertheless, it is a fascinating subject.
Fascinating stuff.
In addition, she was a professional photographer, talented enough to warrant attention on that ground alone. And her disastrous personal life was also interesting. Finally, the filmmaker is her nephew, so he was able to add some family perspective on the whole spy thing, which only came out decades later.
So, why only 6/10 stars? I'm afraid the filmmaker's storytelling skills were not the equal of the task. Nevertheless, it is a fascinating subject.