ELENA (Russia) August 8, 2012

Rated: NR RT: 109 minutes

Synopsis: Elena and Vladimir are an older Russian couple from different backgrounds: Vladimir is wealthy and cold man, Elena modest and docile. They met late in life and each one has children from previous marriages. Elena's son is unemployed. Vladimir's daughter is careless and distant. Then Vladimir has a heart attack and he realizes that his remaining time is limited. A brief but somehow tender reunion with his daughter leads him to make an important decision: she will be the only heiress of his wealth. When he announces it to Elena her hopes to financially help her son suddenly vanish. The shy and submissive housewife then comes up with a plan to give her son and grandchildren a real chance in life.

Review: The script, by Oleg Negin and Zvyagintsev, uses spare dialogue to quietly devastating effect. Performances are superb across the board, framed in elegant widescreen compositions that simmer with violence. Sheri Linden Los Angeles Times