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The Return

Drama

RatingRatingRatingRatingRating4.8

DirectorAndrey Zvyagintsev

ProducerDmitri Lesnevsky

ScreenwriterVladimir Moiseyenko, Aleksandr Novototskiy-Vlasov

DistributorKino Pictures

Release Date DateFeb 6, 2004, Original

LanguageRussian

Runtime1h 50m

Introduction

Andrey (Vladimir Garin) and Ivan (Ivan Dobronravov) are brothers who have been raised alone by their mother. When their father (Konstantin Lavronenko) suddenly returns home after vanishing some 12 years earlier, they are both extremely happy to see him back in their lives. Ivan, however, quickly grows suspicious of his father, and determines to find out where exactly his father vanished to all those years ago, and why he suddenly decided to come back into their lives now.

Critics Reviews

Joe Morgenstern4.8

371

Mar 27, 2013
"The Return" sets a seemingly ordinary family drama against the striking backdrop of contemporary Russia. As Andrey and Ivan's father reappears after a 12-year absence, their joy quickly turns to suspicion, particularly for Ivan, who questions his father's mysterious past. The vast landscapes of shorelines and lakes enhance the film's tension, transforming everyday events into a gripping mystery. The interplay between the characters' emotions and the ambiguous motivations of their father keeps the audience engrossed, as the story skillfully blends familial bonds with an ever-present sense of unease. Visually stunning and emotionally complex, "The Return" captivates from start to finish.

Andrew O'Hehir4.4

432

Mar 27, 2013
"The Return" offers a mesmerizing blend of reality and metaphor through its captivating narrative. Andrey and Ivan, raised solely by their mother, are thrilled yet wary when their estranged father reappears after a 12-year absence. The father's sudden return, shrouded in mystery, drives Ivan to uncover the truth. The film's central fishing trip through the Russian wilderness serves as both an intense, tangible journey and a profound, Jungian exploration of the human psyche. This dual-layered adventure grips the viewers, making "The Return" a compelling watch that resonates on multiple levels and leaves a lasting impression.
The Return
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