Andrei Zvyagintsev's The Return is not only the strongest debut of the decade; it is also one of the most visually stunning and best films.
The story is about the two brothers Andrey and Ivan, who, after twelve years of absence, find their father back home. Without revealing much about where he has been or why he has returned, he decides to take them on a trip that they are very excited about. However, it turns out that the father is not a very pleasant man; he is harsh, demanding and doesn't seem to care much for his children. This creates a tension between him and the children. Especially the defiant younger brother Ivan objects to the father's treatment and barely acknowledges him as their father, and wonders why he returned to them when he doesn't seem to care about them at all.
In fact, we are told very little of the father's motives and that is part of why The Return works so well – its ambiguity. Due to its tip of the iceberg dialogue and sparse narration, it covers a lot of themes but also leaves much room for interpretation. Another reason is that Zvyagintsev refuses to make the father a pure antagonist. Granted, he is not a good father, but there is a sense of purpose about everything he does and at times we get the feeling that he might not be such a bad person after all, that he has motives for his actions, even if we aren't told what they are.
The way I see it, the trip is also a metaphor for growing up. In the beginning, Andrey is clearly a child, but by the end there is a certain maturity about the way he acts, and he even talks a bit like their father. If one wants to, one can also find some religious references in The Return; the Father returning (and ultimately disappearing again), how one brother believes in him and the other one doesn't, and all the crosses we see throughout the film.
This is a sparse film; there is very little music, and the cinematography, which is the best I have seen in a long time, is not exactly colorful. This is, however, compensated by the strong emotions displayed by the children and the tension between the different characters. In conclusion, if you want a strong family drama with unforgettable pictures, The Return will be well worth your time.
The story is about the two brothers Andrey and Ivan, who, after twelve years of absence, find their father back home. Without revealing much about where he has been or why he has returned, he decides to take them on a trip that they are very excited about. However, it turns out that the father is not a very pleasant man; he is harsh, demanding and doesn't seem to care much for his children. This creates a tension between him and the children. Especially the defiant younger brother Ivan objects to the father's treatment and barely acknowledges him as their father, and wonders why he returned to them when he doesn't seem to care about them at all.
In fact, we are told very little of the father's motives and that is part of why The Return works so well – its ambiguity. Due to its tip of the iceberg dialogue and sparse narration, it covers a lot of themes but also leaves much room for interpretation. Another reason is that Zvyagintsev refuses to make the father a pure antagonist. Granted, he is not a good father, but there is a sense of purpose about everything he does and at times we get the feeling that he might not be such a bad person after all, that he has motives for his actions, even if we aren't told what they are.
The way I see it, the trip is also a metaphor for growing up. In the beginning, Andrey is clearly a child, but by the end there is a certain maturity about the way he acts, and he even talks a bit like their father. If one wants to, one can also find some religious references in The Return; the Father returning (and ultimately disappearing again), how one brother believes in him and the other one doesn't, and all the crosses we see throughout the film.
This is a sparse film; there is very little music, and the cinematography, which is the best I have seen in a long time, is not exactly colorful. This is, however, compensated by the strong emotions displayed by the children and the tension between the different characters. In conclusion, if you want a strong family drama with unforgettable pictures, The Return will be well worth your time.