I found this Russian drama, impeccably directed by Andrey Zyagintsev, to be spellbinding and powerful. Zyagintsev has an amazing way of producing a constant tension, even when the most mundane acts of daily living are being carried out.
Nadezhna Markina is pitch perfect as Elena, a retired nurse, who is now married to the wealthy Vladimir(superbly portrayed by Andrey Smirnov). They live in a beautiful apartment is Moscow. Although they are only married two years, their relationship apparently began ten years before when Elena was Vladimir's nurse in the hospital.
However, Elena's son Sergei, his wife Tanya, their older son Sasha, and a baby boy live "on the other side of the tracks" in a run down area. Each month, against Vlkadimir's wishes Elena collects her pension and takes a train and a bus to visit her family and give them money to help support them. Vladimir thinks that Sergei is an idler and is also not happy that Sergei has not returned a loan from three years back.
Elena has asked her husband to help her grandson Sasha bribe his way into a university, so that he doesn't have to serve in the Army. When Vladimir expresses his reluctance Elena points out that he has no qualms about supporting his daughter who is bitter, ungrateful, and irresponsible. This, of course, causes all kinds of friction between Vladimir and Elena, although overall they seem to have a loving relationship.
One day, Vladimir suffers a heart attack while swimming in the gym. He is eventually released and starts recovering at home with Elena acting as his nurse.
He tells her that he's meeting with his attorney the following day to draw up a will. He will leave the bulk of his estate to his daughter but that Elena will receive a generous monthly annuity. He also tells her that he's made a final decision and will not help her grandson financially.
This sets off a series of events which if I disclosed would be complete spoilers. Let's just say the events take a dark turn and Zyagintsev handles it masterfully. I was riveted to the screen. With the powerful musical score in the background, the tension in the final parts of the film is maintained extremely well.
I would highly recommend this movie to those that enjoy foreign dramas with a cohesive and strong storyline.
Nadezhna Markina is pitch perfect as Elena, a retired nurse, who is now married to the wealthy Vladimir(superbly portrayed by Andrey Smirnov). They live in a beautiful apartment is Moscow. Although they are only married two years, their relationship apparently began ten years before when Elena was Vladimir's nurse in the hospital.
However, Elena's son Sergei, his wife Tanya, their older son Sasha, and a baby boy live "on the other side of the tracks" in a run down area. Each month, against Vlkadimir's wishes Elena collects her pension and takes a train and a bus to visit her family and give them money to help support them. Vladimir thinks that Sergei is an idler and is also not happy that Sergei has not returned a loan from three years back.
Elena has asked her husband to help her grandson Sasha bribe his way into a university, so that he doesn't have to serve in the Army. When Vladimir expresses his reluctance Elena points out that he has no qualms about supporting his daughter who is bitter, ungrateful, and irresponsible. This, of course, causes all kinds of friction between Vladimir and Elena, although overall they seem to have a loving relationship.
One day, Vladimir suffers a heart attack while swimming in the gym. He is eventually released and starts recovering at home with Elena acting as his nurse.
He tells her that he's meeting with his attorney the following day to draw up a will. He will leave the bulk of his estate to his daughter but that Elena will receive a generous monthly annuity. He also tells her that he's made a final decision and will not help her grandson financially.
This sets off a series of events which if I disclosed would be complete spoilers. Let's just say the events take a dark turn and Zyagintsev handles it masterfully. I was riveted to the screen. With the powerful musical score in the background, the tension in the final parts of the film is maintained extremely well.
I would highly recommend this movie to those that enjoy foreign dramas with a cohesive and strong storyline.