If “Russian masterpiece” were a style, LEVIATHAN was filmed in it. Karamazov-like bravado and religious parables plus a nonstop flow of vodka. Unsubtle visual political symbolism (the Putin state as rotting Hobbsian whale’s carcass), this one has racked up more 10 Best Lists than anything in 2014 (despite not coming out until 2015). Definitely unafraid of the “pretentious” label – solemnly paced, big canvas compositions, detailed and novelistically epic, it’s an enthralling watch. Could have done without the dated Philip Glass music, however.
Unsubtle visual political symbolism (the Putin state as rotting Hobbsian whale’s carcass), this one has racked up more 10 Best Lists than anything in 2014 (despite not coming out until 2015). Definitely unafraid of the “pretentious” label – solemnly paced, big canvas compositions, detailed and novelistically epic, it’s an enthralling watch. Could have done without the dated Philip Glass music, however.
