The Return (2003/2004) (AKA Vozvrashcheniye)
Moody, dark, troubling, perplexing,
pretty much everything that is associated with adolescence
is a part of "The Return," one of the best films you
might be lucky enough to see at your local arthouse
this year. "The Return" is the story of two Russian
teenaged brothers who experience a tumultuous week
with their long-estranged father when he returns out
of the blue and takes them on a road trip to do some
fishing.
Of course, there's much more to
the plot of this film. And, if you're looking for
allegories, you can probably find at least three or
four possible ideas rambling around here. A errant
father's return, one son seemingly happy to see him
and accepting, one son bitter and angry and unable
to forgive the father's absence. Incidents and innuendos
make the father an enigma and also make him seem to
be up to no good. But overall this is the story of
the youngest brother and how he reacts to the sudden
insurgence of a domineering, demanding father-figure
into his life.
What's amazing about the film is
that it allows the viewer to piece together whatever
they want about the film. Some see a religious allegory
here; I did not upon viewing the film but certainly
understand that idea upon further reflection. So,
see "The Return" for yourself and see what you think
the story is about. It won't be wasted time if one
simply accepts the story at face value. The acting,
dialogue, plot and images here are enough to keep
one deeply engrossed in the film.
Yes, this is a beautiful film. I
saw it on a VHS screener provided by the distributor
(Kino) to the Dobie theater and even on my small,
home TV screen, in video, the film is simply gorgeous
to view. I am seriously considering watching it again
at a theater to see it in this better manner myself.
This is a beautiful, atmospheric and rich film visually,
one that will imprint many images upon the viewer.
This is a movie you want to see on a big screen.
And the acting from the three young
men in the film, who play the two sons and the father,
is simply awesome. These are complex, enigmatic and
troubled characters and the actors here provide simply
wonderful performances to endow the film with a sense
of traumatic disturbance upon the characters. All
the best acting here is reacting as the characters
struggle to find some sort of unity in their troubled
relationship. The young son here, the main character,
as provided by Ivan Dobronravov, is one that we feel
deep sympathy for and grow to care quite deeply about.
It is he, and Dobronravov in his shoes, that, more
than anything, make "The Return" easily worthwhile
viewing. Equally impressive and important to the film
is the breezy performance given by Vladamir Garin
as Andrey, the older brother, and the enigmatic focused
performance of Konstantin Lavronenko as the itinerant
father.
"The Return" offers up an opportunity
for viewers to see a well crafted, well acted and
beautiful film that is enigmatic enough to be interesting
yet plot-driven in a way that allows it to seem purely
story-oriented if one wants to take it at face value.
But the plot, or the metaphor (if you wish to see
it in that manner) here isn't nearly as compelling
as the relationships between the characters, the meaty
performances given by the actors and the rich, textured
images provided by filmmaker Andrei Zyvagintsev and
cinematographer Mikhail Krichman. Complex and layered,
"The Return" is a beautiful film on every on of its
level.
Notes:
In Russian with subtitles.
The hauntingly beautiful score is
by Andrei Dergachyov.
Garin apparently died a couple weeks
after filming was completed. While at the same lake
where the film was shot, he drown after being challenged
by some young ladies to swim across it.
The film has won several awards
at film festivals and was nominated for a Golden Globe
for Best Foreign Language Film. Although not nominated,
it was also Russia's official entry for the Academy
Awards for 2004.
Released in some countries in late
2003, it began an American arthouse run in February
2004.
Filmed in Russia mainly at the Gulf
of Finland and at Lake Ladoga.
