Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #20393 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-10-04
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English, Russian
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 110 minutes

Synopsis
Director Andrei Zvyagintsev makes a phenomenally assured directorial debut with THE RETURN. The spare tale focuses on two young brothers, Andrey (Vladimir Garin) and Vanya (Ivan Dobronravov), whose lives are thrown into a tailspin when their father (Konstantin Lavroneko) returns after a 12-year absence. Bullish and intense, the patriarch takes the boys on a mysterious journey through a bleak yet beautiful Russian landscape. While Andrey looks up to his father, Vanya has trouble forgiving him for disappearing so many years ago. This strain adds even more drama to the already tense atmosphere, culminating in a shocking event that will change their lives forever.
Winner of the Golden Lion at the 2003 Venice Film Festival, THE RETURN is a masterful drama that works on an allegorical, as well as literal, level. Zvyaginstev's imagery is at once painterly, abstract, and realistic. Newcomers Garin and Dobronravov deliver performances that are deeply affecting. In a cruel twist of irony, actor Garin drowned just after shooting in the same water where the opening scene took place, which adds another level of bleakness to the film's somber tone. THE RETURN is a truly haunting work of art.

Customer Reviews

one of the best films I've seen in a while
After the first minute all doubts are gone. What you have here is a real film. Scene by scene.

The subject matter is fatherhood, or lack of. Trying desperately to find out what it is when you ain't had it. The kids are wondering. The adults too. And in steps the humanity of the project, whispering through your heart and tickling your intellect. If you find it all ambiguous that's because we are ambiguous. There is no straight forward answer.

And, afterwards, if you want confirmation of the film's worth, simply watch the 'making of': a cast of dedicated professionals risking and working passionately at their craft.

Bogdan Tiganov - author of The Wooden Tongue Speaks- Romanians: Contradictions & Realities

A work of stunning beauty and a modern masterpiece
A hauntingly beautiful film, the intense and powerful emotion and beauty of which is captured perfectly by a combination of stunning camera work, utterly believable acting and haunting music. It has stayed with me for weeks and will no doubt do so for a long time to come. If you are to see one film, it should be this.

from the heart to the soul...?
...from the heart of (first-time!) director Andrey Zvyagintsev to the soul of the viewer, that is. This film is nothing short of amazing. The story is moving, believable and deep on both psychological and emotional levels -- the cinematography, writing and pacing are right on target -- and the acting is as close to perfect as either a director OR audience can imagine.

Konstantin Lavronenko plays the long-lost father with just the right mix of strength, mystery and cool understatement -- his character would give many actors an excuse to overplay and draw attention away from the young men portraying the sons, the true centers of the film. The balance he achieves here is a tribute to the care with which he pursues his craft.

The two young actors who play brothers Andrey and Ivan (Vladimir Garin and Ivan Dobronravov, respectively) turn in some of the most believable, moving performances I've ever seen from people their age. The depths of emotion and commitment they give to their roles is extraordinary -- it's a level of quality that is a joy to see in actors of ANY age, but to see it in these who are so young is incredible.

The fact that this is director Zvyagintsev's first feature film tells me that this is indeed a filmmaker to watch -- and I don't think a film of this quality can be written off as 'beginner's luck'. His talent is formidable -- I look forward to seeing more from him.

The story unfolds at just the right pace -- the audience is given no clues as to what will happen next, and is kept is just as much suspense as the characters in the film. The honors this film received at the Venice Film Festival were justified -- I can recommend it without reservation to anyone, whether they favor 'art house' cinema or simply a well-made film telling a compelling story.