On Thursday, February 23, the screening of the film by playwright and director Florian Zeller "Son" begins in Russian cinemas.
The plot was based on the director's play of the same name from the trilogy, which also includes the works "Mother" and "Father".
Hugh Jackman and Zen McGrath played the central roles.
Also in the tape starred Laura Dern, Vanessa Kirby, Anthony Hopkins and others.
When viewing the picture, at first it seems that all the problems are tied to the 17-year-old Nicholas, who will not find a place in the world in any way.
However, as the plot develops, it becomes clear that the focus is not only on the son, but also on his father, the successful lawyer Peter.
He himself feels deeply traumatized because of the difficult relationship with his father.
However, Peter tries to be a better parent than his own was for him.
Peter and Nicholas Kate's mother divorced a couple of years ago due to the appearance of a new lover in the life of a man.
This event not only shook the world of a teenager, it seriously affected his mental health.
From the first moment when it comes to Nicholas, it is easy to guess that the boy suffers from an anxiety disorder.
This is confirmed by his words, behavior, reaction, and later by a medical report.
However, if at first Nicholas evokes sympathy, then soon the audience's participation practically disappears: the teenager is shown only through the eyes of his parents and doctors, but he is revealed weakly by himself.
© Shot from the film "Son"
The inner world of Nicholas remains a mystery to both his loved ones and the audience.
At the same time, it is clearly visible what kind of trap he is in: everyone seems to be trying to help him, but gradually these attempts begin to resemble a farce.
Heroes do not know how to behave, and cannot accept facts that are obvious to others.
Such a director's move once again proves that relatives are sometimes deaf and blind to the needs of loved ones.
It is surprising how, in rare moments of revelation, a teenager describes his feelings and says in plain text that he is experiencing mental pain that he cannot appease.
Moreover, he still seems to remain unheard: neither mother nor father understand why, after “he kind of smiled,” the teenager again tries to injure himself.
The closer Nicholas tries to be with them, the more they move away from him - and vice versa.
At some point, Zeller's drama almost transforms into a thriller, constantly keeping in suspense.
A particularly unsettling feeling intensifies after Nicholas mentions a gun hidden in the bathroom.
However, in the end, the tape turns into a heartbreaking melodrama.
Speaking of creating atmosphere, it is worth noting the work of the composer Hans Zimmer.
His music successfully directs the emotions of the audience at the right time, helping the director to achieve this or that effect.
Confirming that the boy has depression and an anxiety disorder, the doctor tells his parents that "love is not enough" in this case.
This phrase can be attributed to the relationship of the characters not only to the son, but also to each other.
For the mother, who, obviously, has not yet accepted the separation from her husband, her own experiences come first, and not the feelings of her son.
© Shot from the film "Son"
With every conversation about Nicholas, the former spouses return to memories of the past: Kate tells how happy they were, and Peter how good it was with the boy.
It seems that while the son was small, it was easy for the father to communicate with him, but growing up Nicholas is not easy for Peter.
At first, Peter is sympathetic because of his efforts: he refuses to travel with his second wife, and later from an important step for himself.
The hero hopes that the unusual environment, the new school and work with a psychologist will help his son.
But gradually he realizes that he is becoming exactly the kind of father he didn’t want to be, and he doesn’t understand what to do to avoid this.
Zeller gradually brings the audience to the conclusion: a person who has not been cured of a childhood mental trauma, having become a father himself, cannot help the same boy.
An emotionally grown-up is rational, and Peter and Kate are unable to bear Nicholas's suffering.
As a result, they make the simplest decision and deceive themselves.
For the first time, "Son" was shown as part of the competition program of the Venice Film Festival.
Critics received it ambiguously.
Portal Rotten Tomatoes dubbed the tape "repulsively aggressive melodrama."
Interestingly, Zeller's painting "Father" was received more favorably.
She was awarded the César Award for Best Foreign Language Film and the Academy Award for Adapted Screenplay, while starring Anthony Hopkins won Best Actor.
The film has a 98% freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes.