Loveless

Following Leviathan, Zvyagintsev doesn't lower the bar with Loveless. Slow scenes (mostly of Russia's winter scenery), in contrast to fast and harsh dialogues, leads us to a multi-layered plot that starts with an ending marriage and ends with a missing son. In the middle, there are some wonderfully crafted insights of main character's intimate life, both physical and not: everyone is trying to rebuild his life, but the missing son (a son that neither the mom nor the dad wanted) pushes to concentrate in searching him. His absence is a lot more powerful than what his presence has ever been for his parents.
Zvyagintsev hardly depicts a scene without noticing the viewers that every character is thinking mostly about himself than of the people around him (like the scene in the metro where everyone is using the smartphone). Even the sex scenes of the parents with the lovers outside the marriage, are occasions for them to talk about themselves, not to listen the partner. The research of the son is scrupulous and requires a lot of effort both from police and from volunteers, and is another excuse for the director to explain the distance (the research is ultimately just a diversion) and the absence of love from the parents, that are researching only inside themselves.

Impressive story with a thing or two to learn for yourself.

Though maybe not as ambitious as _Leviathan_, Zvyagintsev uses a lot of similar elements here that made that film special. Lots of subtle, detailed acting, grim cinematography with some interesting use of dark blue and purple and a layered plot with ideas about the culture and politics of modern Russia. I do wish he dug a little deeper though, because while I like how he explores this idea of (generational) selfishness, his observations are a bit too safe. The character arcs wrap up in an unexpected and interesting way, but there’s not a lot to read into there. Also, while there’s a lot to admire on a technical level, he tends to linger on shots for longer than necessary. Besides that, this is a very compelling drama with strong characters, a depressing atmosphere and excellent visuals.

7.5/10

Neglect and indifference permeate the entire plot, creating a heavy, melancholic and aggressive atmosphere. The brutality here is mainly psychological, manifested more by absence and apathy than by explicit violence. Although it has a long running time and some scenes contribute little to the narrative, overall this is an intriguing and bleak film that provokes deep reflection on indifference, society and justice.

Great messages good acting skills and a worth watch movie.Though i believe it could last 1.30 hour and not two hours..Then it could be great but now just a good movie to watch. 7.2/10!

Nelyubov is an intellectual Russian film about two divorcing parents who ignore their son so hard he runs away and disappears. What seems to be a police procedural on the surface is really a metaphor for the satellite USSR countries after the breakup. How do I know it's intellectual? SPOILER: Because it has no ending.

This film isn't for everybody--like me, for example. Loveless is like procrastination porn starring a man with a 20-inch penis: it takes too long to get interesting and is far longer than it needs to be.

NOTE: This is Russia's entry for Best Foreign Film at the Oscars (2018); and intellectual viewers will certainly appreciate this film far more than I. It does have some wonderful cinematography and there's a slow burn tension heightened by rich soundscapes that will appeal to viewers with more discerning taste.

The original title of the film is Nelyubov.