Read Positive User Reviews for Loveless (2017)

8

WaelFeb 17, 2018

Poignant enough even without having a lot of lines in it, "Loveless" is a truly tragic film about a fallen-apart couple aiming for a divorce and the disappearance of their kid. It is wildly thought-provoking, and very well-acted (I'm sorryPoignant enough even without having a lot of lines in it, "Loveless" is a truly tragic film about a fallen-apart couple aiming for a divorce and the disappearance of their kid. It is wildly thought-provoking, and very well-acted (I'm sorry but the sex scenes had me clutching my screen! and the yelling and arguing scenes? same). The film exploits many aspects of the Russian life, through photography and cinematography that are absolutely astonishing (the first 3 minutes of the film are an utter eye-treat, for example). Moody and exhilarating, the film proves to be an explosive piece of art. A must-watch for all the cinema geeks out there.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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10

PatrickSousaDec 1, 2017

Everything in this movie is AWESOME. Wonderful screenplay, beautiful cinematography and great interpretations. Besides technical issues, this movie has a lot to offer, this movie send a beautiful message of how things can be ruined when youEverything in this movie is AWESOME. Wonderful screenplay, beautiful cinematography and great interpretations. Besides technical issues, this movie has a lot to offer, this movie send a beautiful message of how things can be ruined when you are loveless with someone you supposed to love. It's not exactly an easy movie to watch, you'll probably feel like a s**t at the end.… Expand

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

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8

JLuis_001Apr 11, 2018

It was mentioned before the start of the film what it was like to live today in a society without love but in a certain way after watching the film I wonder if is really about that, regardless of whether that's the title of the film.It was mentioned before the start of the film what it was like to live today in a society without love but in a certain way after watching the film I wonder if is really about that, regardless of whether that's the title of the film.

Undoubtedly there is hatred, disgust, indifference, selfishness, apathy, contempt, disaffection, coldness, annoyance and eventually oblivion and everything involves adults, people who are supposed to be acting with at least some trace of maturity.

But as the film makes clear, the two people involved as parents hated each other so much they sought to follow different paths and on the way they forgot the most defenseless and least guilty person and in my opinion the one who ended up paying the highest price.

Dark, provocative, it doesn't have a happy ending, this is not a happy film in any sense and maybe some people will find it oppressive but it is an excellent film, beautifully filmed and even though in some moments I wasn't very happy with the rhythm of the narrative the story is so absorbing for you to skip that detail.

Tremendously recommended.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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10

TchaikovskyFeb 2, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The is a another masterpiece of Andrei Svyangitzev. The plot its exelent, the characthers very well developed, atmosphera perfect, the camera, photograpthy, the details of every ecenes. extremelly dramatic story and film. Andrei Svyagintzev its an outstanding russian director who reflects on his films the decadency of a nation and society with his social and moral descomposition,… Expand

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10

skobbMar 24, 2018

I thought this was a terrific movie, and would recommend it to you, but you have to be prepared for what you're going to get. The story, direction, and acting are excellent, but it moves very slowly. Normally, I like a much faster-paced show,I thought this was a terrific movie, and would recommend it to you, but you have to be prepared for what you're going to get. The story, direction, and acting are excellent, but it moves very slowly. Normally, I like a much faster-paced show, but -- for some reason -- I resonated with this portrayal of a messed-up family dynamic. I also enjoyed my brief glimpse of what life might be like in contemporary Russia.… Expand

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7

DawdlingPoetNov 24, 2021

This is a good drama, a family drama film. Its a bit slow to build, plot wise but its thoughtful and is the kind of film I imagine a lot of people who have gone through divorce, with kids, can perhaps relate to. However, it does finish withThis is a good drama, a family drama film. Its a bit slow to build, plot wise but its thoughtful and is the kind of film I imagine a lot of people who have gone through divorce, with kids, can perhaps relate to. However, it does finish with an unanswered question, a bit of a cliffhanger. I think the viewer can guess whats implied but its not outright confirmed or not (I won't elaborate so as not to provide any spoiler(s)).

It is quite a grim and sober watch and its quite dark in terms of both the themes and the physical lighting present. Overall this is a good film that I'd recommend, yes.… Expand

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9

StevieGJDDec 9, 2017

This is an excellent film. The director's previous movies were very good, but this is more. The contraposition of the Russian middle class struggles with the Russian government bureaucratic milieu is so unique. I've not seen many filmsThis is an excellent film. The director's previous movies were very good, but this is more. The contraposition of the Russian middle class struggles with the Russian government bureaucratic milieu is so unique. I've not seen many films about this group of people. The morose sadness of the unsolved tragedy in this story, combined with the repetitive life choices of the main characters is soul numbing. I loved this movie. It is one of the best of the year… Expand

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10

netflicMar 2, 2018

This is the latest drama from famed Russian director Zvyagintsev.

The plot is relatively simple: a divorcing couple decides to start their own lives anew. Neither the father nor the mother plan to include their only 12-year old son ontoThis is the latest drama from famed Russian director Zvyagintsev.

The plot is relatively simple: a divorcing couple decides to start their own lives anew.
Neither the father nor the mother plan to include their only 12-year old son onto their future lives. He finds our that his destiny is a boarding school and decides to disappear.

Through this personal story Zvyagintsev managed to show that the the whole governing structure of society is deeply sick. It produces parents who lack inner kindness, and it becomes hereditary. They do not have feelings toward each other and toward their children, and their children fall into the same trap.

A group of volunteers who keep looking for the boy after police refused to do it, is shown as competent, compassionate people, so drastically different from police.

Last scene where the mother trains in Russian Olympian uniform is symbolic of modern Russia that is cold, harsh, devastating, loveless.

It starts at the top with Russia's foreign policy and descends all the way through to citizens' lives.

Similar to his previous film "Leviathan", this film is a verdict to the regime but on a very different level yet done as masterfully.

With this film Andrey Zvyagintsev once again proved that he is the best contemporary Russian film director.

Must See.… Expand

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8

imthenoobJul 17, 2018

The failure to notice that their son is missing after 2 days isn't the beginning. There's nearly an hour build up to that point and during that time, We see how deeply neglectful the parents are and how their hatred of each other and ofThe failure to notice that their son is missing after 2 days isn't the beginning. There's nearly an hour build up to that point and during that time, We see how deeply neglectful the parents are and how their hatred of each other and of themselves are so viciously toxic and blinding that they can't seem to focus on anything else. Even with their professional and personal lives moving on, It seems like every move made is to spite the other. And the fact that their son is genuinely missing, and possibly dead, doesn't really seem to hit them until the very end of the movie.

And then comes the worst part. There is no redemption, No realizing the errors of their ways. The parents, if anything, are worst off than what they were before their son went missing (as shown in a fast-forward that takes place 3 years later). They are the ones that are truly loveless and everyone around them has to suffer from it.

It's a brilliant movie and definitely, a must watch.… Expand

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7

GreatMartinMar 13, 2018

"Loveless", a 2018 Oscar nominee for best foreign language film, from Russia, could have, should have, would have been a powerful picture if the director, Andrey Zvyagintsev, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Oleg Negin, had an editor,"Loveless", a 2018 Oscar nominee for best foreign language film, from Russia, could have, should have, would have been a powerful picture if the director, Andrey Zvyagintsev, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Oleg Negin, had an editor, Anna Mass, who could have reigned him and the cinematographer, Mikhail Krichman, with less is more. One too many scenes with a cell phone, have one scene with seeing snow through a window, have 3 more, be sure many scenes run 30 seconds to 2 minutes too long and throw in a few that do nothing but extend the movie's running time and take away from the drama unfolding on the screen.

Necessary scenes at the beginning set up what takes place later. We meet 12-year-old Alexey (Matvey Novikov) as he overhears his soon to be divorced parents arguing and neither wanting custody of him. They are trying to sell their apartment. His father, Boris, (Aleksey Rozin) is a middle management desk salesman who works where divorce is a sin and could cost him his job. Meanwhile, he is living with his new, now pregnant, girlfriend, Marsha (Marina Vasilyeva) in her mother's home. Alexey's mother, Zhenya, (Maryana Spivak) owns a beauty salon and spends many hours with her new lover, Anton, (Andris Keishs), who, by the way, has a home I would love to live in! She is also strongly attached to her cell phone as both the director and cinematographer constantly, needlessly, show us her using it.

After all this is established we understand Alexey disappearing and his parents not even knowing it until his teacher calls to ask why he hasn't been in school for 2 days. The film then turns into the search for the boy, mainly by civilian volunteers as it seems the police have neither the men, the money or the time to search for all the kids missing.

The search, led by Ivan (Alesky Fateev), takes up the major part of the film with, once again, too many long and repetitive scenes that undermines the suspense. There are many detours from the main story such as meeting Zhenya's mother (Nataliya Potapova) Marsha's mother (Anna Gulyarenko) plus a co-worker (Roman Madyanov) but we are always taken back to the search of the forests, buildings, rivers and surroundings. We are given a thorough lesson in what is involved in a search for a kid who may have run away or been kidnapped or met some disaster that no parent wants to face.

The basic premises of the marriage and the search for the disappearing boy are what makes the movie so interesting but there are one too many cell phone scenes--yes we get it that Russians are as tied to them as Americans and other countries are--snow scenes and, yes, too many sex scenes!

There is a lot of politics in the movie including the USA election in 2012 but the last shot of Zhenya jogging on a treadmill wearing a red sweatsuit emblazed with RUSSIA across the front went right over my head if it means anything.

"Loveless" will be an excellent movie when you can fast-forward the repetitive scenes and photography and slow it down each time--and there are many, yes, even too many---Anton's house is shown.… Expand

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8

3ebfan511Jun 20, 2019

Beautifully done film on subjects such as loneliness, loss, and the struggle of people trying to find connection to one another. (and probably allegory to Russian culture, and possibly the government.) Its a "heavy" kind-of film but alsoBeautifully done film on subjects such as loneliness, loss, and the struggle of people trying to find connection to one another. (and probably allegory to Russian culture, and possibly the government.) Its a "heavy" kind-of film but also makes you want to keep watching as there is a mysterious element as you are trying to solve a mystery which keeps you wanting to see what happens. So for entertainment value its a bit bleak, but artistically is beautifully done, and well worth watching if you want to see a film for arts sake, or anything exploring those themes.… Expand

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8

Brent_MarchantMar 3, 2018

A raw, cold treatise on the perils of self-absorption, sometimes difficult to watch and sometimes difficult to believe but all too often right on the mark when it comes to the slow but relentless erosion of qualities like courtesy,A raw, cold treatise on the perils of self-absorption, sometimes difficult to watch and sometimes difficult to believe but all too often right on the mark when it comes to the slow but relentless erosion of qualities like courtesy, consideration and compassion. The pacing is a bit slow at times, and some of the cultural references are likely lost on non-Russian audiences. But the overall message is clear and undeniable -- and not limited to the film's country of origin.… Expand

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10

WhiskeyStoriesDec 24, 2017

Loveless is incredibly sad. A dour and depressing f#cking film, so make sure you're prepared for that before watching. That being said the film is excellent, probably the best film of 2017, with amazingly written and acted complex charactersLoveless is incredibly sad. A dour and depressing f#cking film, so make sure you're prepared for that before watching. That being said the film is excellent, probably the best film of 2017, with amazingly written and acted complex characters providing a poignant social commentary about the selfishness of our times set in a tragic story.… Expand

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8

luis_pineda10Nov 3, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Filmmakers around the world has always recreated cinema in their own way, contrasting with the films made in Hollywood, that in a certain point become the same, that is to say, are made with the same "mold". The foreign cinema, specially from Europe, America and Asia has acquired his own identity, but with pass of time we can say that this films are made with the same "mold", but obviously, one different from Hollywood's.

I think no one can deny the much contributions that Hollywood has made to cinema, since the beginning of this art they have improved the way we watch and consume movies and how these are made. This have its consequence, the over exploitation of films, especially of a specific genre; in the 50's were the musicals and now are the super-heroes movies but international filmmakers (and from Hollywood itself too) always find another way to tell a story. In 20's were the Russians and Germans, then the Italians, with artistic movements that change films forever and then in response to the repetitive stagnation of ideas in Hollywood, the Nouvelle Vague (the "new wave" of french cinema) made his own contribution. They were the beginning of the foreign cinema that now is still alive and for me is better than many of the Hollywood films.

"Nelyubov" represents that, the actual foreign cinema that is the son of that foreign films from the 20th century. This movie sometimes reminds me to movies from Luis Buñuel or Jean-Luc Godard, and a lot to Michael Haneke's "Caché", we can say are similar in some aspects, but I think they seem to be made with the same "model" because they represent the same: the voice that says that the cinema is not only Hollywood.

This movie is incredible, is so beautifully and carefully made; is awesome how it takes his time to express and show how the characters are and what his title means, you see the two main characters and their lack of love, how that transform their lives and most important how it determines another person's life, in this case the boy. After we saw everything about both parents and how they try to find love far from the other (being his son the only link between both) a situation when they need to be together appears.

The film change totally from this point and in the searching of the boy we check that the parents can not be together and we wonder what will happen at the end. I thought they were going to find the boy, it was surprising the end, letting you some questions and reflections. Andrey Zvyagintsev, the director of the films does an spectacular job, it manage very well the rhythm of the movie, that sometimes seems slow but like I said, it takes his time and in the end everything was necessary. The shots, that don't show many movement and the information that the movie gives to the audience is pretty careful.

The cinematography is great, with a tone that shows the coldness and unhappy life of the characters. The music is another aspect to mention, is very good, Evgueni Galperine & Sacha Galperine does an amazing job, and the performances are also amazing, both when they cry, fight or smile (the latter the least we see).

In conclusion, I think this film is one of the best of the year and I expect to see it in the award season that's coming, is well done in every aspect and is part of the current foreign cinema, that pays homage to his predecessors.… Expand

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10

MaxKvotheOct 22, 2018

This is the best movie of 2017 imho. I've never liked a russian movie but this one is special.

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