The Banishment

This is a fine film, from Russian director Andrey Zvyagintsev, whose only previous film - The Return - won the Golden Lion at Venice in 2003. I haven't seen The Return but I will definitely look for it now.

As for the Banishment, it's a character study revolving around fidelity, the bonds of family, and the distance that (sometimes) builds over time in our love relationships. Its plot focuses on an apparent affair and a pregnancy. It has some twists and turns so I will leave it at that in terms of narrative. Except to say, the plot takes dramatic shape halfway through the first act with a classic reversal - an unexpected confession, which later is re-examined for its veracity, and in a brilliant third act is revealed for what it truly was. However, the confession itself, upon reflection and revelation of its truth later in the picture, struck me as requiring a pretty huge leap of faith in the viewer. All of which to say that, other than this very central weakness, I thought this was a brilliant screenplay.

The acting is uniformly excellent, such well-drawn characters that will stay with me. I see in re-reading the package that Konstantin Lavrenenko's portrayal of the enigmatic Alex won him the best actor prize at Cannes this year. The other principles are also extremely strong. The cinematography is equally captivating, with gorgeous interweaving of the countryside where much of the film is set, with the nearby bleak and black cityscape (both unidentified, but presumably in Russia) where the characters drive to and from throughout the film.

My early choice for best pic of the fest.