Leviathan is one special piece of cinema. It is definetely not for everyone, if you are looking just for fun entertainment and light hearted hollywood ending this is not for you, if you are enjoying cold, atmospheric and pessimistic movies Leviathan is definetely for you. Leviathan is directed by Andrey Zvyagintsev one the Russia's most talented directors and with Leviathan he shows that he is one of the most talented and interesting directors not only in Russia, but in the world. Before Leviathan from Zvyagintsev i have just watched The Return, it was okay movie for me, especially enjoyed the landscapes of Northwest Murmansk region and atmosphere but something was missing. Leviathan is also happening in the region mentioned above, but it is more complex and more social themed oriented. In Leviathan Zvyagintsev shows all the bad things happening in Russia and it is totally realistic, ultra realistic, so much that reminded me on the situation in my home country. It seems that is case in all East European countries, but in Russia that corruption and unfairness is on the highest level. Local politicans and mayors of bleak and criminal past, corrupted justice system, corrupted police. As a result of all that, ordinary citizens don't have any hope, and from desperation they are drinking and drinking too much, and family starts to broke up. The atmosphere in the movie is cold, dark, brooding, disturbing but at the same time meditative, atmospheric and thought provoking. Landscapes of Russian Northwest are just breathaking and camera work is just insanely good, i like the slowness/minimalist approach of the movie so you can enjoy feel the atmosphere even more. There is no much music in the movie, only two themes taken from legendary minimalist composer Philipp Glass but they are going so well with the movie that is just fantastic. Acting in the movie is extraordinary but i was most amazed by Roman Madyanov who is acting the main villain, the corrupted mayor, he is so good and real in that role, also his look is so good for the role, he is really looking like all of this fat corrupted "businessmans" with round heads you can see driving big Jeeps. This movie totally left me speachless after watch, i was amazed and disturbed at the same time, ending at the church is one of the best endings i have ever seen. A must see for all lovers of the true cinema. Leviathan will be future classic, and Zvyagintsev admired one day like Tarkovsky. I gave 10/10.
Review of Leviathan
