The Return [2003]

The thing that struck me (again) watching Andrey Zvyagintsev’s stunning 2003 cinematic debut was how such a brilliant, original piece of film-making (heartfelt drama, stunning novice acting, sublime visual sense) could be 'cobbled together’ for (allegedly) a budget of around $500K when Hollywood frequently spends 50 to 100 times this on plagiaristic, recycled pap! OK, tedious rant over, but Zvyagintsev’s film is undoubtedly a remarkable achievement for a first feature, which can interpreted either as a ‘simple’ examination of father-son relationships or as something more symbolic around spiritualism and/or the conflict between traditional and more progressive values in the film-maker’s home country. Whatever view one takes, it is hard not to be touched by the emotive power engendered in The Return.Indeed, technical brilliance aside, it can be hard to get past the amazing performances by the teenage brothers, Vladimir Garin’s Andrei and Ivan Dobronravov’s Ivan (Vanya), whose life is torn apart by the sudden reappearance (‘Where did he come from?’) on the scene (after a 12-year absence) of their father, Konstantin Lavronenko’s dour, mercurial Otets. As the trio embark on their arduous road (well, fishing) trip, aside from the film’s narrative twists and turns, the brothers’ facial expressions tell all - Andrei full of smirking admiration for his 'new papa’, Vanya frowning in stubborn rebellion against acceptance of the interloper. Zvyagintsev’s film maintains a haunting aura of (unexplained) mystery and visual beauty throughout – we are never quite sure what Otets’ motives are, as he attempts to instil traditional masculine values in his sons, against their natural (matriarchal?) inclinations.But, equal to (arguably, surpassing) the film’s increasingly dramatic narrative is its amazing look and feel. An important part of this is Andrey Dergatchev’s sparse, portentous score, but it is in the visuals where The Return really scores. Particularly for a first film, Zvyagintsev and cinematographer Mikhail Krichman display an extraordinary sense of cinematic imagery, whether it be the contrast between the washed-out greys of the industrial landscapes and the bright blues and greens of the country/sea-side sequences or the brilliant ‘topping and tailing’ sequences where Vanya is forced to demonstrate his machismo on a watch-tower. But, if I had to choose a single sequence to demonstrate Zvyagintsev’s eye for the visual it would be Otets’ introductory shot, 'lying in state’ (actually amongst rumpled bedclothes) and given a visual definition resembling a Michelangelo artwork (a sequence which is followed by Andrei and Vanya scurrying to find an early photo of their father hidden in a book of just such artworks – one of many brilliant touches).It’s really hard to overpraise Zvyagintsev’s film – a film in which he demonstrates a remarkable, near-fully fledged talent which has continued to be cemented in his subsequent films. The Pathé DVD also contains an extremely informative hour-long documentary on the making of the film.

My type of film. Slow, deliberate pacing very reminiscent of Tarkovsy. Beautiful cinematography, excellent acting (the father and Ivan are standouts). Unhurried, leaving you with time to think about what's happening and why. It doesn't feel the need to leave you with a definitive answer or cram in as many quick shot changes or action as possible.Set in what is portrayed as a hauntingly quiet area near St. Petersburg (Leningrad), when their father returns after 12 years away, he takes his two sons on a fishing trip. We're put in the same position as the boys, trying to piece together who he is, where he's been and why he's come back. He's on a mission but where, why and why does treat the boys so harshly? Don't expect a nice and neat Hollywood conclusion. Is it a master piece? Probably not. Is it worth watching? Absolutely.Spoiler Warning:It's not a deep story by any means, but I'm surprised so few of these reviews have even considered it. There are lots of clues to the fathers backstory. He's been away for 12 years. His wife finds it difficult but isn't really surprised by his return. The family are very poor yet there's silk sheets on the bed. He no longer likes fish, having eaten far too much of it. He behaves like an over bearing authoritarian figure to his sons, presumably a result of his own recent experiences. He's travelling to somewhere known to him were he digs up something of, presumed, value, that we can assume he buried, and has to take it somewhere within three days. He describes it as work. The implication for me is that he's been in a particularly brutal Russian prison (with their traditionally monotonous fish soup). On his release he returns to where he hid the spoils so he can sell them on. His relationship with his sons strained by the time and the brutality he's been subject too.I prefer to consider the father as a one time decent bloke who sacrificed 12 years for the eventual betterment of his family but the result was mental scaring for him and a strained relationship with the family he sacrificed it all for. Maybe I just don't want to consider him a gangster.But in the end it's about the journey the brothers go on, the way they themselves return, and what they return with.

I've just watched this movie and it haunts me, not least for it's stunning, stark, photography and sublime soundtrack, the performances by the two young boys are as brilliant as anything down by great screen legends, what also strikes me is that these young boys are no hollywood 'child stars' . researching the film online after viewing I was saddened the learn that the older boy Vladimir Garin died in a tragic accident just as the film was to be screened in cannes, it was an instance of life imitating art as he literally plunged to his death while effectively reapplying one of the scenes, if you watched the movie, I'm referring to the opening scene with the boys diving from the tower.I'm not going to comment on the over all story, all I shall say is watch it. Having watched it, I'm going to buy as I want this in my collection.

great actors - however without looking -- it was male produced and directed. (A woman producer would have directed this film much different Lots of sad bits and lots of frustration and a sorrowful ending.Russian people seem to be a little harder than us Westerners. A pitiful story, but acted extremely well esp by the youngest boy. I have given it 5 stars, as much psychology in it - and an energy to get into the minds of the family. A film one will be captivated by.