What would compel me to give this film ten full stars? There has to have been something to knock at least one off. Otherwise I'm saying that this is a cinematic masterpiece on all levels.
It simply is, and I can make my own points about it.
Plot: Spot on, with some twists and turns to keep the viewer not only glued to the story, but wanting more. The plot further peels open, and I was left simply nodding my head in disbelief. This is not the kind of film that is feel-good. If you want all of the endings tied up like a Christmas bow, forget it, as Leviathan is NOT for you.
Cinematography: Crisp, colorful, artistic, and well-conceived. Anyone not privy to life in Russia will feel like they've gotten their passport stamped by Vladamir Putin himself. Watch the film to get the sense of coldness of an unforgiving, northern climate. Utilizing the magic hour, and pre-dawn/twilight settings, it was an incredible visual experience.
Acting: The only actor who didn't seem so believable was a 3-year-old in a church near the end of the movie. Yet he didn't have any bearing on the film. The rest of the characters really made their parts believable, to the teeth. Even the young actor, Sergey Pokhodaev, truly didn't seem like the no-it-all you love to hate. He was conflicted and you could understand why. The officials seemed truly official, just like those plain clothes Russian cops, whom I would never want to meet. And when the players were drunk (which was often), I could believe that they really were blitzed during filming. Some might get bothered by the amount of vodka-drinking, but that's a big Russian staple. The acting, from the happiness, to the anger, disappointment, pain and sorrow, couldn't have been better.
Believability: One wonders if this kind of thing truly happens. It's downright scary. No spoilers, you'll see when you watch the film, and I strongly urge true film lovers to watch this. I just shook my head and asked if this also happens in the U.S. Maybe so, maybe not with such a stronghold. I can imagine in places like Russia, Mexico, and other struggling economies, it is very possible.
Music: The film used old music from Philip Glass (works that reminded me of Chronos and Koyaanisqatsi) at the start and end of the movie, and only sparsely added drone violins to suggest impending trouble. The film didn't need much music, which is also the sign of excellent work.
Ambiance: What a way to showcase Russian life and livelihood. How bleak, yet how beautiful? I want to watch it again and again, just to wrap my brain around the scope of what I just watched. Leviathan was truly well-planned and well-executed. Who are these actors? Looking at the main characters' bodies of work, they've been in front of the cameras for numerous films, but part of the effort of great filmmaking is assembling the cast, which was also top- notch.
I feel like I was plucked right down in the town of Kirovsk, compelled to follow as a passenger as all this unwound and unraveled, getting frustrated with any roadblock that came. How poignant that Leviathan starts so innocently and yet who in the end, is innocent?
It simply is, and I can make my own points about it.
Plot: Spot on, with some twists and turns to keep the viewer not only glued to the story, but wanting more. The plot further peels open, and I was left simply nodding my head in disbelief. This is not the kind of film that is feel-good. If you want all of the endings tied up like a Christmas bow, forget it, as Leviathan is NOT for you.
Cinematography: Crisp, colorful, artistic, and well-conceived. Anyone not privy to life in Russia will feel like they've gotten their passport stamped by Vladamir Putin himself. Watch the film to get the sense of coldness of an unforgiving, northern climate. Utilizing the magic hour, and pre-dawn/twilight settings, it was an incredible visual experience.
Acting: The only actor who didn't seem so believable was a 3-year-old in a church near the end of the movie. Yet he didn't have any bearing on the film. The rest of the characters really made their parts believable, to the teeth. Even the young actor, Sergey Pokhodaev, truly didn't seem like the no-it-all you love to hate. He was conflicted and you could understand why. The officials seemed truly official, just like those plain clothes Russian cops, whom I would never want to meet. And when the players were drunk (which was often), I could believe that they really were blitzed during filming. Some might get bothered by the amount of vodka-drinking, but that's a big Russian staple. The acting, from the happiness, to the anger, disappointment, pain and sorrow, couldn't have been better.
Believability: One wonders if this kind of thing truly happens. It's downright scary. No spoilers, you'll see when you watch the film, and I strongly urge true film lovers to watch this. I just shook my head and asked if this also happens in the U.S. Maybe so, maybe not with such a stronghold. I can imagine in places like Russia, Mexico, and other struggling economies, it is very possible.
Music: The film used old music from Philip Glass (works that reminded me of Chronos and Koyaanisqatsi) at the start and end of the movie, and only sparsely added drone violins to suggest impending trouble. The film didn't need much music, which is also the sign of excellent work.
Ambiance: What a way to showcase Russian life and livelihood. How bleak, yet how beautiful? I want to watch it again and again, just to wrap my brain around the scope of what I just watched. Leviathan was truly well-planned and well-executed. Who are these actors? Looking at the main characters' bodies of work, they've been in front of the cameras for numerous films, but part of the effort of great filmmaking is assembling the cast, which was also top- notch.
I feel like I was plucked right down in the town of Kirovsk, compelled to follow as a passenger as all this unwound and unraveled, getting frustrated with any roadblock that came. How poignant that Leviathan starts so innocently and yet who in the end, is innocent?