Loveless (2017)

Short description

Loveless is a 2017 Russian drama film directed by Andrey Zvyagintsev and co-written with Oleg Negin. It tells the story of a couple going through a bitter divorce and the effect it has on their 12-year-old son, Alyosha.

The film opens with a shot of a snow-covered landscape, setting the tone for the bleakness that will follow. We are then introduced to Zhenya and Boris, an estranged couple who are in the process of divorcing. They are both consumed by their own lives and have little time or patience for their son, Alyosha. The tension between them is palpable as they argue over who should take custody of him.

The story follows Alyosha as he struggles to cope with his parents’ divorce and his own feelings of abandonment. He is often seen alone in his room, playing video games or listening to music on his headphones as he tries to escape from reality. His parents’ indifference towards him is heartbreakingly portrayed in several scenes throughout the film.

The cinematography in Loveless is stunning, capturing both the beauty and desolation of Moscow’s winter landscape. The camera often lingers on shots of empty streets or abandoned buildings, emphasizing the loneliness that Alyosha feels in his life. The score also adds to this feeling of isolation, creating an atmosphere that is both haunting and melancholic.

Overall, Loveless is an emotionally powerful film that explores themes such as family dynamics, loneliness, and abandonment in a way that feels both real and heartbreakingly honest. It’s a beautifully crafted piece of cinema that will stay with you long after you’ve seen it.