Vozvrashchenie

Plot synopsis:
In contemporary Russia, Ivan and his older brother Andrei have grown a deep attachment to each other to make up for their fatherless childhood. Both their mother and grandmother live with them. After running home after a fight with each other, the boys are shocked to discover their father has returned after a 12-year absence. With their mother's uneasy blessing, Ivan and Andrei set out on what they believe will be a simple fishing vacation with him.
Andrei is delighted to be reunited with their father and Ivan is apprehensive towards the man whom they know only from a faded photograph.
At first, both brothers are pleased with the prospect of an exciting adventure, but they soon strain under the weight of their father's awkward and increasingly brutal efforts to make up for the missing decade. Ivan and Andrei find themselves alternately tested, rescued, scolded, mentored, scrutinized, and ignored by the man. Andrei seems to look up to his father while Ivan remains stubbornly defensive.
As the truck stops and cafés give way to rain-swept, primeval wilderness coastline, Ivan's doubts give way to open defiance. Andrei's powerful need to bond with a father he's never known begins, in turn, to distance him from Ivan. Ivan and his father's test of will escalates into bitter hostility and sudden violence after the trio arrives at their mysterious island destination.
Ivan has an outburst of anger after witnessing his father strike Andrei. He shouts at his father, runs into the forest, and climbs to the top of the observatory tower. Andrei and their father run after him. The father tries to talk with Ivan, but this only stresses Ivan further. He then threatens to jump down from the top of the tower. The father tries to reach out to him, but falls and dies.
Ivan and Andrei take the body across the forest, bring him on board the boat, and sail back to where they came. While the boys are putting their gear in the car, the boat starts to drift away. Andrei screams, "Papa!" and starts running towards the shore, followed by Ivan, but it is too late. The boat and the body are sinking. Ivan screams "Papa!" for the first and the last time from the bottom of his heart. They get into the car and drive away. The film ends with still images from their journey.

Tags: bleak, allegory, suspenseful, psychological, romantic

Review:
"The Return," a breathtakingly austere masterpiece from the land that gave us Eisenstein, Pudovkin and Tarkovsky, is one of the most beautifully acted and directed films I have seen in years.
Yet, towards the end of the story, the apparently latent love the boy feels for this man as his father does eventually rise to the surface.
Through this intense interaction, the film emerges as a complex and profound study of what father and son relationships are really all about.It is virtually impossible to put into words just how brilliantly the two young actors use their facial expressions to convey a wealth of meaning and emotion.
In fact, there are a few hints towards the end of the film that this seemingly cold, uncaring man, for all his myriad faults, might actually just love his sons in his own strange way.
In fact, the scriptwriters even throw a few of Hitchcock's prized "MacGuffins" into the mix to keep us off balance (there is a scene in which some possibly stolen money sinks to the bottom of a lake that is highly reminiscent of what happens in "Psycho")..Among other things, "The Return" represents one of the most impressive directorial debuts since Francois Truffaut's "The 400 Blows." Zvyagintsev's ability to draw great performances from his actors is only one of his many talents on display here.
His lyrical use of composition, as well as the way in which he makes nature and weather an integral part of his drama help to draw us so deeply into this world that it takes the viewer literally hours to get fully back to his own existence again once the movie has ended.
It worked firstly as a mysterious, psychological drama, but once the film had ended, it fit the definition of the term allegory perfectly."The Return" makes a compelling case in favor of a poetically complex narrative over the expectations of 'The Hollywood Ending', where life eventually makes some kind of sense.
I had seen many good reviews for this film but was reluctant at first to watch it as I thought it could be just one of the high art movies which seem to be made for the development of cinematography alone rather than enjoyment of the public and which I find hard to like even though I appreciate them.
Also I could not guess the ending.The story is simple  the father of two boys was absent for twelve years (he probably was in the prison camp - this is one of the places I can think of where you could be fed a poor diet of fish).The mother never told the boys the truth about him .The father comes back, wants his boys to accept him as the father figure and help them to learn how to survive in this world, but the misunderstanding and flaws in his character play their role.
When you watch the film you don't see the acting, you see the real boys almost like they were filmed by a hidden camera.Konstantin Lavronenko did a particular good job of depicting very complicated personality of the father.
Vanya's intense will and need to prove his courage will dominate the story, which depicts what happens when the boys' dad (Konstantin Lavronenko) suddenly appears after an absence of 12 years and takes the two boys on a fishing trip.
Apart from the frustrating promotional trailer, this movie is exceptional and is one of the most strikingly beautiful films I've seen in a long time.
As the journey continues Ivan struggles with a father who is strict and strangely cruel.On the back of awards and good reviews I was interested enough to go and watch this film at the cinema.
The narrative is interesting enough to keep you in your seat but just don't expect anything to be explained; in fact there was not even enough information to even really interpret what was going on  by the end of the film I was left with buckets of questions but hardly a single answerI wanted to ask the others in the cinema (all 4 of us) if they had 'got it' and if it was just me.
I would have liked even a little bit of information by the end but I was content that I had witnesses a story and, like some things in life, you don't get all the facts  I was just like the boys in the film, not knowing what was going on but involved in it nonetheless.For a debut feature the direction from Zvyagintsev was excellent.
The delivery is pretty much perfect although I imagine many audiences will be put off by both the lack of information and the slow pace.The direction and cinematography are superb and the two boys in the lead put many other child actors to shame by the sheer confidence and ability they have in delivering such complex characters and emotions..
In this sense, it reminds me of Donna Tartt's brilliant book, "A Secret History", whose the plot is difficult to describe in terms that sound interesting or exciting, but believe me, it's a book that keeps you awake at night because you can't bear to put it down and wait another day to find out what happens next.The movie's genius is in the way it keeps you guessing about the real identity of the father.
In "The Return", the emotional complexity of the father/son relationship grabs your interest, then couples this with the mystery surrounding the father and his intentions.If you avoid foreign films because you think they are slow and boring (and in truth, many of them in the 1970s and 1980s were boring), this one will pleasantly surprise you.
THE RETURN – 9.9/10Director: Andrei Zvyagintsev Writer: Vladimir Moiseyenko, Aleksandr NovototskyThere is something peculiar about the film, something which has its own splendor, glamour and an aura – eerie, unnerving and soothing at the same time, a feeling that will linger ceaselessly.
Let's talk about that.The Return deals with the relationship that builds between a father – Konstantin Lavronenko, who returns after several years of being absent from the lives of his two sons – Vladimir Garin (Andrey) & Ivan Dobronravov (Ivan), after they set out on a supposed joy trip.
What makes it so edgy, captivating and enthralling is something I'll let you figure (it would also lead to plot spoilers); but things you must keep a keen eye for are: the performances by the three actors, especially the teenagers – they would put generations of mainstream actors to shame (especially from the Bollywood industry); the cinematography which is so dark, almost monotone in its shade of beautifully blended blue and grey, complemented by the choice of techniques which are so honest and original - like when the titles role in or the use of still photography at the end; and finally, the choice of locations.
Knowing facts like the arrival & departure day of Christ, the adjacent page and the book where the father's picture was kept when the children first refer to it, the apparent similarity between their first meal and The Last Supper, and even the position in which he is asleep can add some significant and crucial depth to the film, but nothing that will deprive you of the joy and greatness of this masterpiece if you do not know the bible.
The film is scattered with clues that afford this interpretation: the fish symbol, the storm in the sea, the walking on water (by the boys on a stone below the water line), the week ends on Sunday (the day of Resurrection), the late return by the boys and the rebukes that follow (Jesus admonishing disciples for falling asleep), acceptance through death, the first sight of the father lying asleep resembling a crucified and dead Jesus, the last supper (at home), the baptism by rain, is Andrei (the elder boy) named after apostle Andrew, the leaves under the car as palm leaves for Jesus entry into Jerusalem...
One day, the father returns after 12 year absence and on the next day, he takes the boys on the week long fishing trip.
That is to say what isn't in this movie, is as important as what is, the "lack there of", driving it on as in any mystery, accept the confused bundle of emotions only grows and grows and then...we'll then the disappointment becomes painfully and hauntingly poignant.It's about two boys, whose father they have never known returns and takes them on a trip, not explaining where he has been, where they are going, or why.
The tension thick enough to spoon.It's probably the most honest father/son reunion film, I've ever seen, because it captures along with the torrent of emotions, all that can't be resolved as well.Hits a lot of raw nerves...if you've ever been in this situation..."Louis a boat is a boat, the mystery box could be anything...we'll take the box!"-Peter Griffin.
Andrei Zvyagintsev, in his debut film offers an emotional, honest and psychological look at the father-son relationship and achieves his goal.
The Return is a Russian movie that deals with two boys, Andrej and Ivan, and the sudden appearance of a man who claims to be their father.
Vozvrashcheniye is a complex,tragic and emotional drama.Firstly I want to start with Father(Konstantin Lavronenko) he is very attractive,handsome and strength but sometimes ugly,angry and maladjusted.This shows to us he has emotional problems but the scenario don't tell us anybody's past.So always we have to predict somethings with people.I want to pass Ivan(Ivan Dobrananov) I think his performance is the most successful and memorable.Because he is the main character and he is so talented.His crying scenes absolutely wonderful.
Not every question is answered, and it makes the movie more intense.The only American movie of recent I can equate it to is "Mean Creek" that just came out this year and "River's Edge" from 1986.A combination of freshman filmmakers and talented actors combine to make this a great film.
In fact, the introduction of the box is so distracting that it lessens the overall quality of the film.I recommend this movie for the acting, the directing, and the usually enthralling story.
I like art films like this because they don't hold up signs telling you every thing you are supposed to think and feel.A father returns after an unexplained 12 year absence (it is Russia...anything could have happened to him).
They have trouble adapting to him too especially the younger one Ivan who aggravates the situation and is an easy kid to dislike with his constant sour face and passive aggressiveness.The mysterious business of the Father his almost sadistic nature and the isolated lonely scenery make for a psychological thriller.Needless to say it is a million times better than any popular consumption film....but it is dark.
Andrei Zvyagintsev seems like a great talent and I look forward to seeing more movies by him.The story and the premise is actually quite simple but the execution of it gives the story some deeper emotional- and also realistic layers and makes the story come across way more interesting and intriguing than it is on paper.The movie is also definitely helped by its natural performances from the actors.
"The Return" is a small gem of a Russian film - a maturing journey for two sons with their father.
The characters of two brothers are perfectly described in the movie:the young brother Vanya and the older one Andrey.Andrey is relatively normal in his relations with the other boys,with the family members...He is very good child.He is also very good to his brother.Vanya is more difficult,he is clever,besides very different from others.The return of the father(is he really their father?)and their journey to that island,the box they take etc...everything is just the way the director found to show us these characters.While watching,you like one of them more and this seems as if he should be Ivan.The father likes Vanya more,too.In the end you see the power of Andrey and actually you relax.You relax because you have seen that Andrey is good.
The boys give their soul and heart to this devastatingly beautiful film about sons reuniting with their long-lost father.
The film captures the emotion of the boys perfectly and it really feels like this when you're abandoned by your father.
This deliberate, powerful film follows two brothers taken on a camping trip by an estranged father, returned after a decade into their young lives.
After watching the film once it would be interesting to go back and watch it again analyzing the interactions between father and sons knowing what happened in the end.
In the beginning, I hated the way the father treated his kids, but in the end, I realized why he had been doing what he was doing, he wanted to teach his sons what he couldn't in the past 12 years.
Throughout this whole scene, the shots in which Zvyagintsev leaves the camera lingering over the body of the father, we are given the niavity of a child, we are expecting to come alive even though we have been told he is dead.I could go on and on, but I think each person takes there own from this film..
It's a road-movie and, as is often the case with such narratives, it's also a search for identity  in this case, the attempt by two young boys to come to grips with a father who'd been absent for ten years.Set somewhere within the vast reaches of the Russian steppes and plains, the two brothers set off on a camping trip with their father who, in a number of vignettes along the way, attempts to teach the boys some lessons about life.
Overall, the film has some different kind of perspective which belongs to Russian point of view.It has a pure language of expression.Not so many words but but lots of feelings.You can see the partnership between two brothers against the difficulties of nature and life within a small time space..
Tells the story of the father of two boys returning home after an absence of twelve years.
The story of a father who returns home and meets his sons for the first time, and then takes them on a trip that ends in tragedy, is like a kick in the stomach.
Teenage boys Ivan (Dobronravov) and Andrei (Garin) are taken on a three-day fishing trip by a mysterious stranger (Lavroneko) who their mother claims is their father, returned from God knows where after a 12-year absence.
I saw this film at Skopje Film Festival and I think that is made without any mistake,it is moving very slowly but at the same time the wivers are very addicted trough the whole movie and at the end you are not feeling that passed two hours since its beginning.i think that in Hollywood cant be made this kind of movies because very small group of people will watch them,because there is no action and very little is happening trough all the movie and the whole mystery which is going with us trough the movie is not solved and leaves a lot of questions at its end.i would like to mention that the photography in the movie is great so it must be watched at the cinema.also the two kids are giving a wonderful roles,so at the end if you know that it won the Venice Golden Lion there is not a reason not to watch it..
A much slower pace, static camera angles, and foreign language definitely give it a high art feel, but the camera angles aren't too creative and where the father in Dutch was somewhat justified, the guy in The Return was a complete jerk.From the moment he first appears, unshaven and lying half naked in freezing cold, to the moment he eyeballs a hottie in front of his son, to the moment he breaks out the hatchet, this story doesn't hide anything about his quirks.Some moments are intended to stimulate our interest, like some insinuations that he really loves the kids and isn't just looking for a cat to kick around, some note about hating fish, a mysterious metal box, and some short bursts of affection, but there's not nearly enough material to overcome what we're shown with 99% of the father, even as a means of "stimulating the audience's imagination.".
Andrei is embarrassed when Ivan, fearing heights, is the only kid in their group who won't jump off a high tower into what must be very cold water.Returning home, where they live with their mother and grandmother in what appears to be an abandoned industrial district, the boys are surprised to be told that their long-absent father (gone for twelve or so years) has reappeared, driving a red station wagon.
Oh, when the ultimate moment of Ivan's dad is realized, you think, "Wow, what just happened?" It seems like directorial brilliance, only a half-moment later you realize it's all contrived and makes no sense.I mean, I was hoping the kid would jump, although I never believed for a second he was serious about it (remember the beginning of the film?
The sons have different attitudes and feelings toward their unfamiliar father, and yet between the two brothers, it is another kind of relationship, some brotherhood nicely and believably displayed.Two more things that I liked are the cinematography and the background music.
Either way, if you ask me for a description or review for Vozvrashchenie, or The Return, I would say it is a movie that combines an interesting family-centered or more precisely a father-and-son relationship and an unusual adventure in the wilds, which is done in excellent cinematography and background music, and is a gem when it comes to the aspect of acting..
This film protrays how a son will respond to the return of father who has been absent for 12 years.
The story is of two boys father returning after being away for 12 years.