Elena

Zeitgeist Films | Release Date: May 18, 2012

7.5	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 51 Ratings

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HorlanJun 7, 2012

Andriej Zwiagincew made a movie with spare dialogue, which is calm, minimalist and static, but he did it very knowingly. Elena has an outstanding form, refined and subtle, interesting characters and truthful screenplay. It contains theAndriej Zwiagincew made a movie with spare dialogue, which is calm, minimalist and static, but he did it very knowingly. Elena has an outstanding form, refined and subtle, interesting characters and truthful screenplay. It contains the contrast between the social classes in Russia, relationships based on the exchange of some services, it asks important questions and let the spectator answer them by himself. If you are intelligent, Elena can give you a lesson which will rescue you some say!… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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riskyMay 18, 2012

Elena is a true achievement in character chemistry and acting. What I really like is that it doesn't contain any 'bad' or 'good' characters; the directing really makes you understand the motives, thoughts and personalities of the entire cast.Elena is a true achievement in character chemistry and acting. What I really like is that it doesn't contain any 'bad' or 'good' characters; the directing really makes you understand the motives, thoughts and personalities of the entire cast. Some of them initially seem as classic antagonists and some seem the opposite, but the story approaches them all from several angles and in the end I wasn't favoring or disfavoring any.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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atg123May 27, 2012

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is a semi-depressing Russian budget movie.
Don't waste the 2 hours, as you won't get it back.

90% of the movie the people are silent, and nothing happens. That's because there is nothing to do in the plot. BTW, here's the plot: - a retired couple of an old dude-former banker and a lady-nurse, each have kids on a side from previous marriages. Neither of the kids is doing anything useful with their lives, but just want money from the banker. The banker reluctantly them some money, but is puzzled as to why the kids (who are pushing 30s) won't start working themselves. The nurse's kid wants much more money for his own kid, but the banker is reluctant.

The nurse kills the banker by overdosing him with Viagra, and gives the money to her kid, who moves into the banker's apartment and slips in his bed.

The morale that the director wanted to convey - being a mother is more important than being a wife.

While the director is trying to portray the nurse as the caring mother, the truth is that she is the killer and is actually a bad character.

I'm just puzzled as to why other people gave positive reviews here - just wasted my 2 hours. Thank's God I watched the movie for free, otherwise I'd request my money back.

Time though - that I won't get back ..., unfortunately.… Expand

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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MarcDoyleJun 1, 2012

It's simply an excellent film so thick with thematic development that I need to see it again. If you think ahead during the movie, anticipating all of the cliched ways the story could go, you'd likely be wrong every time. There's no need toIt's simply an excellent film so thick with thematic development that I need to see it again. If you think ahead during the movie, anticipating all of the cliched ways the story could go, you'd likely be wrong every time. There's no need to go cheap here. The filmmakers have done wonderful work. I'll spare you any plot details.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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EpicLadySpongeApr 3, 2016

Another movie worth watching before you die. Don't miss Elena starting today on home media by going to your local store to get a DVD or Blu-ray copy of this movie.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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