Loveless (2017)

A couple going through a divorce must team up to find their son who has disappeared during one of their bitter arguments.

Director:

Andrey Zvyagintsev

Writers:

Oleg Negin, Andrey Zvyagintsev

Stars:

Maryana Spivak, Aleksey Rozin, Matvey Novikov

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 19 wins & 44 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Maryana Spivak	...	Zhenya
Aleksey Rozin	...	Boris
Matvey Novikov	...	Alyosha
Marina Vasileva	...	Masha
Andris Keiss	...	Anton (as Andris Keyshs)
Aleksey Fateev	...	Ivan
Sergey Borisov	...	Operupolnomochennyy
Natalya Potapova	...	Mat Zheni (as Nataliya Potapova)
Anna Gulyarenko	...	Mat Mashi
Artyom Zhigulin	...	Kuznetsov
Maksim Solopov	...	Otets Kuznetsova
Sergey Badichkin	...	Sosluzhivets Borisa
Tatyana Ryabokon	...	Rieltor
Maxim Stoyanov	...	Pokupatel (as Maksim Stoyanov)
Varvara Shmykova	...	Lena, volontyor

Storyline

Still living under the same roof, the Moscow couple of Boris and Zhenya is in the terrible final stages of a bitter divorce. Under those circumstances, as both have already found new partners, the insults pour down like rain in this toxic familial battle zone, always pivoting around the irresolvable and urgent matter of Alyosha's custody, their 12-year-old only son. Unheard, unloved, and above all, unwanted, the introverted and unhappy boy feels that he is an intolerable burden, however, what his parents don't know is that he can hear every single word. As a result, when Boris and Zhenya finally realize that Alyosha has been missing for nearly two days, it is already too late. But is this a simple case of a runaway teenager?

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Plot Keywords:

missing child | broken family | divorce | written by director | missing boy | 

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Taglines:

A Missing Child. A Marriage Destroyed. A Country in Crisis,

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexuality, graphic nudity, language and a brief disturbing image

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan] Official site [United States]

Country:

Russia France Germany Belgium

Language:

Russian Tajik

Release Date:

1 June 2017 (Russia)

Also Known As:

Loveless

Filming Locations:

Yuzhnoye Tushino District, Moscow, Russia

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$30,222, 18 February 2018

Gross USA:

$566,356

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$3,925,992

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fetisoff Illusion, Non-Stop Productions, Wild Bunch

Technical Specs

Runtime:

127 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film's premiere was at TIFF in Toronto in September 2017.

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Goofs

While the plot sets in late 2012, Sleepwalking by Bring Me The Horizon, that was released in 2013, plays in the car.

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Quotes

Zhenya: I think I've made a terrible mistake.

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Connections

Referenced in Andrey Zvyagintsev. The Director (2017)

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Soundtracks

Silouans Song
Composed by Arvo Pärt

User Reviews

Soaked in pathos

In many ways this film is so Russian that unless you are Russian or have spent a considerable time in Russia you may miss many of the subtler parts of this film - recurring motifs - but this does not detract from an absolutely intelligent and realistic film.

Heavy on symbolism I remained enthralled throughout, a deeply original and emotive work that will resonate in the mind long after viewing. A Masterpiece.

It deserves no less than the maximum 10/10.