The Banishment

Francisco R.

While Zvyagintsev, owner of a remarkably subtle and pleasuring directing style, takes his time in setting the mood and tone of the film, the story is so minimally told and gives so little to the viewer to work with other than grand images of the Russian countryside and a few glancing details, that by the time his reworkings of time and meaning come to take place, their significance proves diminished and even obsolete

Frank ViSo

L'unica cosa memorabile di questo film, è la splendida colonna sonora di Arvo Part. Per il resto, abbastanza piatto e senza particolari evoluzioni. Elena l'ho trovato leggermente migliore. The only memorable thing about this film is the wonderful soundtrack of Arvo Part. For the rest, fairly flat and without any particular evolutions. Elena found it slightly better.

El Biffo

Very heavy shit. From the dark world of Andrey Zvyagintsev. Based on a novel by William Saroyan. Bonus points for beautiful and desolate locations.

Matthew Martens

Wait, I still have to finish watching it. (This is here to remind me.) Something of a strychnine-drip so far.

nouvelle vague 1960

For me ,this is Andrey Zvyagintsev's best film so far.A film maker who wants his audience to interact with his work and not have to be told what to think! A director who is inspired by Antonioni,Bergman and Tarkovsky.His style may not be to everybodies taste,but to people who want film to challenge them occassionally,his a name to check-out and follow. "The Banishment" is a good starting point on the journey ahead.

Jugu Abraham

As interesting as his debut film, Zvyagintsev's The Banishment introduces thoughts on 3 relationships: husband and wife, brother and brother, father and son. My full review is at http://moviessansfrontiers.blogspot.in/2007/12/51-russian-director-andrei-zvyagintsevs.html

Marian Sorin Radulescu

Bergmanesque, rather than Tarkovskianesque. It certainly has a poignant atmosphere and is worth watching. Yet, a captivating plot, a brilliant photography and a wonderful cast can hardly make a vision.

a şi u

It's truly a masterpiece, as it was "The Return". It's a pity it has been so massively overlooked by the critics, it should have received more prizes. It's beautifully directed and the plot is not at all thinly constructed; there's more to it than what we are shown. Even if its length can be off-putting for some, "The Banishment" holds us captive from beginning until the end. It left me with a desire to replay it.