About this movie we can say that it is both author and social at the same time. Director Andrei Zvyagintsev loves to insure the most acute problems of society, making his paintings popular. In them you can often find a reflection of everyday life. One of these works is the film "Elena", reviews of which we will consider in more detail. Also, the topic of our article will be other paintings that tell about the strengths and weaknesses of heroines with this name.
Life Span
It would seem that these two may well find happiness. Vladimir and Elena have long crossed the line of youth. After a “civil” marriage, called cohabitation, they decided to legalize their relationship. But a well-to-do elderly businessman treats his wife as a servant, therefore it is difficult to talk about sincerity of feelings. He has the eldest reckless daughter Ekaterina, and Elena has a son, an unemployed henpecked Sergei. When a woman’s grandson needs help, she turns to her husband, but is refused - after a recent heart attack, Vladimir intends to write a will in favor of his daughter ...
The entire film “Elena” is filled with drama, as an integral component. Feedback from viewers suggests that this is a strong emotional movie, giving rise to a storm of conflicting feelings.
Crime and Punishment
Further development of the plot is largely predictable. Any viewer who has looked at the picture will notice a reference to the famous work of Dostoevsky. Perhaps it was it that became the basis on which Andrei Zvyagintsev relied. Relations between loving people, in which life circumstances interfere, acquire not just a dramatic, but a tragic connotation. How strong is the love of one's neighbor? Why is it necessary to make a choice between someone? Does the fact that Sergei is not the son of Vladimir, says that he does not need to help? Is it worth it if the spouse asks for it?
A lot of questions that the director is trying to answer are filled in the film “Elena”. Reviews from critics were not unanimous. Some believed that Zvyagintsev touched on the most delicate aspects of family life, while others believed that he was too carried away with such things. Consequently, opinions were divided: from enthusiastic to extremely negative. What indicators are more important for the director? It should be added that the film recouped the budget, was shown in a number of countries and collected several prestigious film awards.
Darwinism: the battle of the fittest
At some point, the narrative leads us to the fact that a confrontation opens between the spouses. We are watching how the characters are fighting over who of their children needs financial support more. This suggests thoughts of the struggle for existence - a theory laid down by Darwin many years ago. This, undoubtedly, stands out the film “Elena”.
Reviews about the picture are not limited to domestic critics. American publications, including the New York Times and Village Voice, call the relationship between Elena and Vladimir the type of marriage in which one of the spouses remains in a clearly winning position in relation to the other. The difference in class layers is expressed in material wealth, which Vladimir has thanks to his business. Elena, by contrast, appears more like a housekeeper.
Parasites among us
Pictures of social issues are a special subspecies of Russian cinema, which not every film director undertakes. It is difficult to call them life-affirming. However, the film "Elena" Zvyagintsev has a chance to become a leader in the number of hopelessness and despair.
The first evocative feeling from viewing is the all-consuming disgust held in you from beginning to end. Similar feelings are caused not only by avaricious Vladimir. On the contrary, the rest of the characters are no better than the main character. For example, Sergey, for some reason, considers his stepfather a sponsor for himself and his children. His wife, who is too lazy to wash her hair and who does not seek to get herself out of the home “swamp”. Or Catherine, always remembering that a tidbit will fall from her beloved daddy.
The message of “Elena” is to convey simple things to the viewer: no one owes you. To achieve something, at first it is worth at least starting to do something.
The eternal question: it is impossible to have mercy on execution. Where to put a comma?
The problems raised cover what is always behind the scenes in almost every modern family. Human values, the daily reflection of our reality, the spiritual poverty of society - this and much more includes “Elena”, Zvyagintsev’s film. Reviews from the audience are almost unanimous: everyone is horrified by the substitution of ideals. And Elena, the main character, comes first to mind. Her conflicting qualities, struggling inside, do not fit together. Yesterday, she complained about the lack of morality, put a candle in the church, and already today decided on a desperate act - to get rid of her husband, who does not agree with her position. On the one hand, the action can be explained by a sincere desire to help. On the other hand, can murder be justified? Here, the director shows us the one for whom the terrible was committed: a cruel teenager who is not interested in anything in life.
The film "Elena": reviews as the main result
Positive opinions include an assessment by Andrei Plakhov. The famous film expert considered "Elena" not only the best film of the year, but one of the most important. This is undoubtedly a powerful argument in favor of the picture. It is possible to add the fact that in recent years nothing of the kind has been created in Russian cinema. From the technical side, the film is made with a professional approach; The whole crew deserves special attention, from the cameraman to the dresser.
A competent study of a difficult topic and an accessible presentation to the viewer are the main components with which “Elena” is filled, Zvyagintsev’s film. The reviews clearly say one thing: due to its acute social problems, this movie will remain relevant for a long time.
The price of a great battle
A number of images of strong women, rooted in past centuries, include the story of the most beautiful Helen, perceived by an almost mythological ancient Greek creature. She often became the inspiration for creating films.
The story tells how, having become the wife of the leader of Sparta, the beauty fell in love with the Trojan prince of Paris. About this film "Elena Troyanskaya." Young people seek refuge with King Priam. The rejected Menelaus cannot stand the betrayal. His brother Agamemnon, offended no less, is plotting revenge. He gathers a huge army and advances to Troy. Do the majestic walls of the state in which the traitor hides stand?
The siege lasts more than one year. Finally, the Greeks infiltrate the city using the famous figure of the Trojan Horse. From this moment in history begins an epochal battle that will determine the fate of great empires.
The film "Elena Troyanskaya" was released in 2003. Similar events are played out in the film "Troy", released next.
True love beyond borders
The story of Elena and Peyton is reflected in this tape. Both girls are incredibly different, unlike each other. A lesbian writer and an exemplary housewife intersect by chance. They quickly realize that they want to be together, but how will the environment react to this? Does it really take an outsider opinion to be happy?
The film "Elena Free" addresses the problems of homosexuality. The heroines begin a relationship with a simple friendship. Soon, one of them realizes that she will not be enough for a long time, and therefore she is trying to renounce her own feelings. But is it subject to her? The second woman, on the contrary, has no idea how she will live without her half ...
The American film "Elena Free", released in 2003, was mostly warmly received by the audience. His key message is not to live for many years with an unloved person, but to open up to a truly soul mate.
Love and obsession
Cinema often uses the beaten path, using the idea that passion and madness always go together. This is exactly what happens to the heroes of this picture. Nick and Elena were very happy until the beautiful and beloved woman decided to end the relationship. Unable to forget her, a talented surgeon tricked Elena into his posh house to talk again and offer to start all over again. Running away from Nick, a woman has an accident. A man picks her up and saves her life. True, she has to cut off her arms and legs ...
What prompted Nick to do so will tell "Elena in a box" (film). Reviews include the predominant number of positive ratings. The main thing that the viewers brought out of the viewing: the picture is not about love as such, but about the painful necessity of owning another person.