Middle-aged Elena, a former nurse, leads a comfortable and orderly life after marrying an elderly and wealthy retired businessman she looked after. He has the money. Both Elena and her husband have children from former marriages, and neither agrees with the way their partner's children have been brought up. Elena's son, Seryozha, is unemployed and has a growing family, including a son who is trying to get to university to avoid the army. Elena repeatedly asks her husband for money to help her grandson, but her husband is reluctant to help them, stating that such lazy people should look after themselves. Elena's husband suffers a heart attack and becomes weaker. She is thus given power and the possibility to make a choice between her husband, whom she loves in a way, and her son's family, who rely on her.
A film about class difference in Moscow, the tensions between the haves and the have nots. About the power of money and the power of blood ties. About deceit, and how fragile human morals can be. Are there any circumstances under which you should sacrifice yourself or somebody else for the benefit of a larger number of people?
Elegantly filmed and well acted. Beautiful music by Philip Glass.
A film about class difference in Moscow, the tensions between the haves and the have nots. About the power of money and the power of blood ties. About deceit, and how fragile human morals can be. Are there any circumstances under which you should sacrifice yourself or somebody else for the benefit of a larger number of people?
Elegantly filmed and well acted. Beautiful music by Philip Glass.