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The Return
SummaryIn contemporary Russia young brothers Vanya and Andrey have grown a deep attachment to each other to make up for their fatherless childhood. They are shocked to discover their father has returned after a twelve year absence. With their mother's uneasy blessing Vanya and Andrey set out on what they believe will be a fishing vacation with their t...

The Return

Metascore
must-see
82
User score
Generally Favorable
8.0
My Score

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Metascore
82
87% Positive
26 Reviews
13% Mixed
4 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
100
Chicago Tribune
The Russian film The Return is a stunning contemporary fable about a divided family in the wilderness - a simple, riveting film that almost achieves greatness.
90
Washington Post
A haunting Russian art film with the economy of a thriller.
By Mark Jenkins
FULL REVIEW
90
The New York Times
At once highly naturalistic and dreamily abstract, playing out its mythic themes through vibrantly detailed characterizations (and remarkable performances by the entire cast). The Return announces the arrival of a major new talent.
88
New York Post
Vladimir Garin and Ivan Dobronravov are amazingly natural as the boys, and Konstantin Lavronenko impresses as the taciturn father.
80
Variety
Constructed like an eerie, metaphorical thriller, this tense, riveting character study offers viewers nearly two hours of emotions with a stunning pay-off no one will be expecting.
63
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
Oh, it's The Return, all right. To any masochist who's been pining for all those clichéd tropes associated with Russian cinema -- ponderous pacing and arcane symbolism shot through a lens darkly -- this will seem a welcome blast from the past.
50
The New Republic
Still, it never quite realizes the oneiric quality because, paradoxically, of its best achievement--the performances of the two boys. They are vital, insistent. Their beings contradict the dreaminess and make us ask the questions mentioned above.
See All 30 Critic Reviews
User score
Generally Favorable
8.0
86% Positive
50 Ratings
7% Mixed
4 Ratings
7% Negative
4 Ratings
  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
Jan 9, 2022
0
Broyax
C’est un père qui rentre à la maison après une très, très longue absence… ses deux jeunes fils le connaissent à peine, voire pas du tout : un parfait étranger pour eux ! et pourtant, il emmène les gamins en pique-nique, puis à la pêche… dans sa bagnole pourrie. Et fort logiquement, ça ne se passe pas forcément très bien… il faut dire que le mec est un vrai con, c’est clair et c’est sûr : c’est même clur comme dirait JMB ! D’ailleurs, ça ne se passe pas très bien pour le spectateur non plus qui se demande régulièrement ce qu’il fout là, à perdre son temps devant ce film d’auteur prétentieux, vide et constipé. Même l’aspect psychologique est traité de manière vaine et superficielle… là encore, on n’observe que du vide alors que le réalisateur continue de gâcher des plans et accessoirement de la pelloche pour rien, que dalle ! du vent. La fin peut-être, tient néanmoins du pur burlesque… mais c’est involontaire. Et on dort déjà tellement aux trois quarts qu’on y fait à peine attention. Bref, une daube navrante qui se regarde le nombril et tourne en rond comme un hamster dépressif.
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Production Company:
  • Ren Film
Release Date:Feb 6, 2004
Duration:1 h 45 m
Genres:

Awards

Golden Globes, USA
• 1 Nomination
Russian Guild of Film Critics
• 3 Wins & 6 Nominations
Venice Film Festival
• 5 Wins & 5 Nominations
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