Hello fellow movie lovers!
I'm a huge fan of 'You and Your Dreams', and I never get tired of rewatching it. Everything about it is just top-notch: the plot, the acting, and the enchanting music. The story is complex, it tackles multiple life problems, psychological portraits of people, and their behavior. It's a thought-provoking film for all ages.
I also read Galina Shcherbakova's novella 'The Novel and Little Yulya', which this iconic film is based on. There are many differences in the plot, but it's one of those cases where you can't compare which is better, the film or the book. I devoured this book in one sitting.
I was surprised when I stumbled upon the 2023 film 'Vera' starring Victoria Tolstoganova while searching online. I hadn't heard of this film before. It's a loose interpretation of 'You and Your Dreams'.
Film 'Vera' 2023 ReviewOf course, a comparison to the original classic is inevitable, but this film can't be called a remake. Here, the same story is shown from the perspective of a worried mother who tries to save her son from what she believes is a toxic love.
Film 'Vera' 2023 ReviewMainly, Vera's life revolves around her family - or so it seems. At first glance, they appear to be a tight-knit and stable unit. She dedicates herself to caring for her son and her ailing husband, while also working and being passionate about her job. Her colleagues clearly appreciate her as an employee, and she's even sent on a research expedition to the Antarctic as part of her work at the marine biology institute.
Film 'Vera' 2023 Review Film 'Vera' 2023 ReviewWhen her son asks Vera which fish she'd be, she replies, 'Cod. High population density, cheap, and nutritious. That's me.'
It's clear from this response that Vera views herself as a mere function, rather than a woman or a person.
Film 'Vera' 2023 ReviewHusband or not, he's not Vera's rock - he's constantly complaining and ailing. Vera does her best to hold the family together, but it seems like they're only connected by their shared son.
Movie Review: Vera 2023 Movie Review: Vera 2023Looking back, she used to be a young girl, in love and dreaming of being loved. But, it seems, she wasn't meant to experience those light, elevated feelings.
I can relate to that – my own first love was a whirlwind romance that left me with a photo in an old album. Vera knew all about it, probably tried to ignore it, thinking that over time, her husband would notice her efforts, appreciate them, and eventually fall in love with her. But that didn't happen...
Movie Review: Vera 2023 Movie Review: Vera 2023And when this first love appears on the horizon of their stable life, anxiety and jealousy move in, eating away at her with each passing day. Movie Review: Vera 2023 Movie Review: Vera 2023
It's tough for Vera to accept that her son, whom she's been trying to mother, is now grown up, can be in love, and that's not the little boy she's used to anymore.
Movie Review: Vera 2023 In his infatuation, Vera sees a direct threat to her happiness and her family's happiness, and it's especially tough considering he's in love with Lucy's daughter.
A Review of the 2023 Film 'Vera' A Review of the 2023 Film 'Vera' A Review of the 2023 Film 'Vera' Watching this old film, I'm reminded of just how destructive those toxic feelings can be. We've always thought that parental love is the ultimate form of selflessness and unconditional devotion. But in reality, it can suffocate, break, and destroy lives - all in the name of what's supposedly best. I've experienced this firsthand, so this theme hits close to home for me.
A Review of the 2023 Film 'Vera' Excessive parental involvement and maternal anxiety can hinder a child's ability to grow into themselves, live their own experiences, and feel their own emotions. You can't shield someone from life. This kind of 'love' is almost as cruel as abuse.
Movie Review: Vera 2023As a mom of a little boy, I don't want to be like Vera in the future. I want to stay close to my kid, but also let him grow up. And here, it's about finding your own happiness in life, like we see in Vera's example.
Movie Review: Vera 2023 Movie Review: Vera 2023 Movie Review: Vera 2023
Movie Vera doesn't leave the same light impression as 'You and Your Dreams'. It's more oppressive, even the visuals are darker and more ominous. The storytelling is slow and dragging.
Movie Review: Vera 2023
Victoria Tolkostanova does a great job of showing Vera's growing anger and jealousy. At some point, she transforms into a psychological monster - cold, detached, and crazy with her anger.
Movie Review: Vera 2023One thing I was hoping to see more of in this movie was Lusya, Katya's mom. But here, she's barely there - it's like she's just a shadow. I barely catch glimpses of her, and that's about it.
Movie Review: Vera 2023 Movie Review: Vera 2023The original movie was all about comparing two mothers with different worldviews. But in this one, I'm not really sure what to make of Lusya - she's just sort of... there. People keep looking back at her, but that's about it.
Movie Review: Vera 2023 Movie Review: Vera 2023One thing I missed in this movie was the romance between the kids. It just didn't feel as real to me as it did in the original movie.
Film "Vera" 2023 Review Film "Vera" 2023 Review Film "Vera" 2023 ReviewI have to say, the character of Yulia just didn't click with me. If we learn about the boy Roman through his relationships with his mom, Yulia is just a blank slate - she doesn't feel like a fully fleshed out character, and she didn't win me over like some of the other supporting characters.
Film "Vera" 2023 Review Film "Vera" 2023 Review
And if I'm being honest, the lack of a teacher storyline like in "You and Your Children" was a letdown. Here, she's just a teacher and class advisor - it felt like a wasted opportunity. A photo from the movie \"Vera\" 2023 - my review A photo from the movie \"Vera\" 2023 - my review A photo from the movie \"Vera\" 2023 - my review ⚪️⚪️⚪️
Watching a remake of a movie is tough without comparing it to the original. Remaking a bestseller like \"You and I Didn\\\'t Dream\\\' of this\" is a challenging task, especially since the comparison will always favor the first film…
But I found the idea of retelling the story through the lens of a different character really interesting. Vera is a complex, intriguing, and multi-faceted character. Her story is gripping and thought-provoking.
What I missed was the development of the characters Lucy and her daughter Kat - I mentioned that already. Otherwise, I enjoyed watching the movie. It left me with a completely different impression than the original, raising different questions in my mind.
I highly recommend watching it!