tstromsn Everything than can go wrong in a human's life happens in this movie. To the point it starts to feel a bit stupid. Also some scenes drags out too much to the point you ask if it was necessary to have them there. Also some very weird character choices that makes you wonder. But it had very good acting and interesting story and characters. So I would recommend watching it.

Jithin K Mohan It's amazing how Zvyagintsev tells a story and fills the background with so many details of the Russian system that the narrative brilliantly combines both aspects in a compelling way. In a way a retelling of the story of Job from Bible but more about how deceptive it is in giving a happy ending and being blind. The film may be thought as pessimistic but I feel it's nothing more than realistic. The system ie both the state and the religion are failing in corruption and the rest can only hope to live without involving in anything.

Lee Eisenberg Whether you relate it more to Marvin Heemeyer or the story of Job, Andrey Zvyagintsev's "Leviafan" ("Leviathan" in English) is an impressive piece of work. It's probably a commonplace story, with the officials in an ignored city doing everything possible to serve themselves. It's the sort of movie that feels like a kick in the gut. Although the title physically refers to the whale skeleton, it can abstractly refer to the state's clout.Although it's a long movie, it's still one that grips you. One gets the feeling that these people in these small towns see no future, and so they spend much of their time drinking. Along with this movie, I recommend "The Fool" ("Durak").

targe1314 I sometimes think people add an extra 5 points on this site when they see something with subtitles.I give this sleeping, depressing movie a 3, just for the one scene where I get to see how country bumpkin Russians have a fun camp out with 'drinkin n shootn'. They have more in common with the Americans than they would admit.To then have this 'idealic' scene be lost to a strange and bizarre incident that they don't fully explain until near the end of the movie, was just ridiculous and jarring. You are forced to do headcounts in every scene to see who got murdered. Why did the drunk with the AK let off a burst? Was he shooting at the adulterers? What the hell!Another point was the complete lack of explanation how the visiting brother could get away with having sex with his brother's wife constantly without getting caught, yet he's supposed to be there visiting and staying with them.The big fat drunkard mayor, who reminded me of Rob Ford, who suddenly turns into the maniacal dark mob demon, is also jarring and unbelievable.The drinking in this movie is so beyond belief. I understand Russians like their vodka, but are we expected to believe working class farmers and fish packers can afford to drink 2 bottles each a day? How are they not dead at 30? The next thing they do very weirdly in this movie is give you the rare opportunity to observe the entire opening readings, twice, of Russian court proceedings. in... a.... monotonous.... and rapid.... female Russian voice.There is no acting going on in this movie, as apparently the entire cast was encouraged to drink heavily, so we have drunken Russian bumpkins, a snob lawyer from Moscow, and a Rob Ford corrupt mayor look alike, all babbling drunken slosh at each other and spitting.The only acting done was by the teenage boy, as I guess they kept him out of the vodka, and even then his performance at times stretched into hysterical screeching.