Elena
Elena Image
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Metascore
87 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 16 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.1 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 24 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
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  • Starring: Aleksey Rozin, Andrey Smirnov, Nadezhda Markina, Yelena Lyadova
  • Summary: Elena is a gripping, modern twist on the classic noir thriller. Sixty-ish spouses Vladimir and Elena uneasily share his palatial Moscow apartment—he’s a still-virile, wealthy businessman; she’s his dowdy former nurse who has clearly “married up.” Estranged from his own wild-child daughter, Vaughter, Vladimir openly despises his wife’s freeloading son and family. But when a sudden illness and an unexpected reunion threaten the dutiful housewife’s potential inheritance, she must hatch a desperate plan...(Zeitgeist Films)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. Salon.com
    Reviewed by: Andrew O'Hehir
    May 20, 2012
    100
    A breakthrough movie after its own fashion, a mysterious existential thriller that's brilliantly acted and masterfully directed, without a second of wasted screen time.
  2. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Sheri Linden
    May 24, 2012
    100
    The script, by Oleg Negin and Zvyagintsev, uses spare dialogue to quietly devastating effect. Performances are superb across the board, framed in elegant widescreen compositions that simmer with violence.
  3. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Stephen Holden
    May 17, 2012
    100
    Post-Soviet Russia in Andrei Zvyagintsev's somber, gripping film Elena is a moral vacuum where money rules, the haves are contemptuous of the have-nots, and class resentment simmers. The movie, which shuttles between the center of Moscow and its outskirts, is grim enough to suggest that even if you were rich, you wouldn't want to live there.
  4. 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.

See all 16 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 1 out of 4
  1. MarcDoyle
    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.… Expand
  2. risky
    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
  3. Horlan
    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
  4. atg123
    1
    This review contains spoilers. 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.    … Collapse

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