The Banishment 2018
Directed by
Andrei Zvyagintsev
Made by
Artificial Eye
Plot Summary
In the gripping opening of the film, Mark finds himself at Alex’s home, seeking urgent assistance to extract a bullet from his arm. Fearing the repercussions of his criminal ties and police scrutiny at a hospital, Mark relies on Alex’s help. As Mark recuperates, he, along with Vera and their two children, embarks on a nostalgic trip to Alex’s idyllic childhood home in the countryside, bringing a sense of calm and tranquility. However, this peace shatters when Vera drops a bombshell—she is pregnant, but the child is not Alex’s. This revelation creates a growing rift between the couple, even as they strive to maintain appearances for the sake of their children and visiting friends.
Feeling lost and desperate for guidance, Alex seeks counsel from his brother Mark. On his way to meet Mark at the train station, Alex’s son Kir inadvertently reveals something troubling: their young friend Robert had been at their house during one of Alex’s work absences. This realization hits Alex hard, leading him to the conclusion that Robert is the true father of Vera’s unborn child. Meanwhile, Vera grows increasingly distant from Alex, haunted by the fear that Kir might emulate the criminal paths of Alex and Mark.
Ultimately, in a moment of desperation, Alex pressures Vera into having an abortion, convinced that eliminating this unwanted pregnancy will enable them to salvage their crumbling marriage. With their children safely occupied at a friend’s house, he coerces Mark to use his underworld connections to secure a doctor who can perform the procedure discreetly at their home. Tragically, after undergoing the abortion, Vera takes her own life by overdosing on pain medication. In the wake of her death, Alex and Mark hastily manage the funeral arrangements as rumors swirl throughout the countryside.
As they navigate the grieving process, Mark suffers a severe heart attack, yet stubbornly attends Vera’s funeral despite the doctor’s advice, passing away shortly after their return home. Alone and consumed by grief, Alex returns to the city with revenge in mind, planning to confront Robert. Falling asleep in his car outside Robert’s house, Alex is startled awake by Robert, who invites him inside. In this fateful moment, Alex reaches for the gun stowed away in his glove box, only to stumble upon an envelope revealing the results of Vera’s pregnancy test—alongside a letter penned by Vera.
In a poignant flashback, we learn of the turmoil surrounding Vera’s tragic circumstances. It is revealed that, days before, she had attempted suicide but was saved by Robert. The subsequent day, she discovered her pregnancy and confided in Robert, sharing her fears about the relationship with Alex, whom she felt distant from. She confesses that despite the pregnancy, it never truly felt like Alex’s baby, reflecting their profound lack of communication and emotional connection.
Timeline
Mark Seeks Help
In the gripping opening of the film, Mark arrives at Alex's home seeking urgent help. He has a bullet wound in his arm and fears going to the hospital due to his criminal background and the potential police scrutiny that may follow.
Nostalgic Trip
While Mark recuperates, he, along with his partner Vera and their two children, embark on a nostalgic trip to Alex's childhood home in the countryside. This trip brings a temporary sense of peace and tranquility to their troubled lives.
Vera's Bombshell
During their stay, Vera reveals a life-altering secret: she is pregnant, but the child is not Alex's. This shocking revelation creates a rift between Vera and Alex, challenging their already strained relationship.
Alex's Inner Turmoil
As tension mounts, Alex feels lost and turns to his brother Mark for counsel. On the way to meet him, Alex's son Kir inadvertently reveals troubling information about their friend Robert's visits to their home while Alex was away.
The True Father Revealed
Alex comes to the painful realization that Robert is likely the true father of Vera's unborn child. This revelation deepens the emotional upheaval within the family and strains his relationship with Vera even further.
Desperate Measures
In a moment of desperation, Alex starts pressuring Vera to have an abortion, believing it to be the only way to save their crumbling marriage. He insists that only a discreet procedure at their home will prevent scandal.
Coercion for a Solution
With their children occupied elsewhere, Alex coerces Mark into using his underworld connections to arrange for a doctor to perform the abortion. This decision marks a crucial and tragic turning point in their lives.
Tragic Loss
After the abortion, Vera succumbs to her despair and takes her own life by overdosing on pain medication. Her tragic decision sends shockwaves through Alex and Mark, forever altering their lives.
Funeral Arrangements
In the midst of their grief, Alex and Mark are left to hastily arrange Vera's funeral while dealing with the growing rumors that circulate in the countryside following her untimely death.
Mark's Heart Attack
While navigating his grief, Mark suffers a severe heart attack but refuses to miss Vera's funeral. Tragically, he passes away shortly after returning home, compounding the family's loss and suffering.
Alex's Revenge
Left alone and consumed by grief, Alex decides to confront Robert, driven by a desire for revenge. This plan sets him on a dangerous path that could lead to further tragedy.
Confrontation with Robert
While waiting outside Robert's house to enact his revenge, Alex is inadvertently invited inside by Robert. This unexpected invitation forces Alex to confront his emotions and the chaotic situation.
Revelation from the Past
As Alex reaches for the gun stowed away in his glove box, he discovers an envelope containing the results of Vera's pregnancy test along with a letter she wrote. These items reveal deeper truths about Vera's struggles.
Vera's Flashback
In a poignant flashback, Vera's turbulent emotional state is unveiled. It is revealed that she had previously attempted suicide and later confided in Robert about her pregnancy fears, showcasing her feelings of isolation.
Emotional Disconnect
The flashback reveals that Vera felt increasingly distant from Alex, expressing that their relationship lacked emotional connection. This disconnect ultimately contributed to the tragic events that followed her pregnancy revelation.
Characters
Alex
Alex grapples with his feelings of betrayal and responsibility as he uncovers the truth about Vera's pregnancy. He is portrayed as a conflicted figure, torn between his emotional turmoil and the societal expectations of masculinity. His desperation leads him down a dark path as he attempts to reconcile his relationships amid chaos.
Vera
Vera represents the heart of the emotional conflict in the film, struggling with feelings of isolation and despair. Her journey is marked by tragedy as she faces the consequences of her situation, ultimately leading to her heartbreaking choice. Vera's character embodies the struggle for autonomy in a suffocating environment.
Mark
Mark serves as both a protector and a catalyst for the unfolding drama, embodying the tensions between familial duty and personal desire. His character is deeply entwined with themes of loyalty and regret, as he tries to support Alex while grappling with his own health and emotional struggles.
Kir
Kir, Alex's son, unwittingly becomes a bearer of secrets, revealing the troubling dynamics within the family. His innocence contrasts sharply with the adult challenges surrounding him, highlighting the impact of adult decisions on the younger generation. Kir's presence serves as a reminder of the stakes involved in the adults' choices.
Robert
Robert is pivotal to the unraveling of Vera and Alex's marriage, as the secret father of Vera’s unborn child. His appearance adds complexity to the narrative, representing both a source of comfort and a threat to Alex’s established life. Robert's character embodies the tensions of friendship and betrayal.
Setting
Time period
The events of the film unfold in contemporary times, reflecting the realities and pressures of modern relationships and familial struggles. While specific historical markers are absent, the themes explored resonate with universal experiences of love, loss, and longing.
Location
countryside, city
The countryside serves as a backdrop for Alex and Vera's nostalgic trip, evoking a sense of tranquility and simpler times. It is known for its serene landscapes and is contrasted sharply with the pressures of urban life, represented by the bustling city where Alex and Mark navigate their troubled existence.
Themes
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Heartbreak
The theme of heartbreak permeates the film, stemming from betrayal and unfulfilled desires within relationships. Vera's revelation about her pregnancy and its true paternity leads to emotional upheaval, spiraling into tragic consequences for the family. This theme is accentuated by the characters’ inability to communicate and connect meaningfully.
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Desperation
Desperation drives the decisions of the characters, particularly seen in Alex's coercion of Vera for an abortion. The choices made under pressure illustrate the lengths individuals will go to in order to regain control over their tumultuous lives. Ultimately, this desperation results in irrevocable loss and regret.
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Grief
Grief acts as a powerful undertone, especially following Vera's tragic death and Mark's heart attack. The aftermath reveals the profound impact of loss on the family structure, emphasizing the darkness that follows unforeseen tragedies. The characters' mourning processes illustrate differing reactions to loss and the associated turmoil.
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