Elena
User Score
7.1 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 24 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 24
  3. Negative: 5 out of 24

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  1. MarcDoyle
    Jun 1, 2012
    9
    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 to go cheap here. The filmmakers have done wonderful work. I'll spare you any plot details.
  2. Horlan
    Jun 7, 2012
    8
    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 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
  3. risky
    May 18, 2012
    8
    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
  4. atg123
    May 27, 2012
    1
    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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
87 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 16 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. Total Film
    Reviewed by: Tom Dawson
    Oct 17, 2012
    80
    Backed by a sparing Philip Glass score, Elena eloquently shows how, in modern Russia, even family relationships are at the mercy of business.
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  2. Arizona Republic
    Reviewed by: Bill Goodykoontz
    Jul 12, 2012
    80
    It's a sort of slow-boil Russian noir, if that genre exists, and if it doesn't, it does now. It's also a statement on class discrepancy in post-Soviet Russia. Arrogance, betrayal, crime and violence are all part of the story, directed and co-written by Andrei Zvyagintsev.
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  3. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    Jul 11, 2012
    75
    Shoot this film in black and white and cast Barbara Stanwyck as Elena, and you'd have a 1940s classic.
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