Watch The Banishment

The Banishment is a Russian drama film directed by Andrey Zvyagintsev, which was released in 2007. The movie stars Konstantin Lavronenko, Maria Bonnevie, and Aleksandr Baluev in the lead roles. The Banishment is based on the novel 'The Laughing Matter' by William Saroyan. The film starts with a couple, Alex (Konstantin Lavronenko), and Vera (Maria Bonnevie) travelling by car with their two children towards a countryside house owned by Alex's family. The atmosphere in the car is tense, and the reason for the stress is not quite clear at the beginning. The family finally arrives at the house, and they are welcomed by Alex's brother Mark (Aleksandr Baluev), who seems to be the only sane family member.

The family members start to settle into their roles in the household. Alex spends most of his time with his daughter, while Vera spends most of her time with their son. However, the tension in the family continues to grow as we witness small conflicts, some of which soon escalate into more significant disturbances within the family.

As the movie progresses, we learn more about the source of the tension within the family. We discover that Vera had an affair with another man while Alex was away. She became pregnant with the other man's child and then miscarried. Alex forgave her and the two moved on with their lives, but the past still haunts them. Vera's past infidelity, along with a cryptic letter Alex finds on the dresser, causes the atmosphere in the house to become even more tense.

Throughout the film, we see the family members' relationships tested as they try to navigate the complexities of their past and present lives. Alex's temper flares up more often, and he becomes more violent. Vera becomes more distant and confides in Mark instead of her husband. The two children are caught in the middle of this mess and react accordingly.

The Banishment is a slow-burning movie that is full of meaning and beauty. The film is a character study, and we are given ample time to understand each character and their motivations. The nuanced performances of the lead actors bring the characters to life and make the film very engaging. The cinematography is breathtaking, and the camera work adds to the atmosphere of the movie. The pacing is slow, but that serves to draw the viewer more into the family's world and heightens the tension.

The movie explores themes such as guilt, love, betrayal, and forgiveness. The Banishment also examines family dynamics and how secrets and lies can destroy relationships. The film invites the viewer to reflect on their own relationships and how past actions can have lasting consequences. The Banishment is not a movie for everyone, but it is a stunning piece of cinema that will leave a lasting impression on the viewer.

In conclusion, The Banishment is a thought-provoking and beautifully crafted movie that explores complex themes and relationships. The characters are well developed, and the cinematography is stunning. The film is a slow burn that requires patience, but it is worth it. The Banishment is a must-see for fans of character-driven dramas that challenge viewers to reflect on their own lives.

The Banishment is a 2007 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 37 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5 and a MetaScore of 59.