Return

Return is a riveting 2011 drama film directed by Liza Johnson and stars Linda Cardellini, Michael Shannon, and John Slattery. The narrative is a sobering portrayal of the challenges faced by veterans when acclimating to civilian life upon returning from war, subtly exploring elements of PTSD and social alienation.

The narrative unfolds around the journey of Kelli, in a tender performance by Linda Cardellini, who has served as an American soldier in the Middle East. As Kelli returns to her Midwestern hometown following a lengthy military stint overseas, she is met with an unfamiliar existence. This is a life significantly changed since she left, her relationships altered and the pace of small-town life seemingly foreign compared to her experiences in the war-fragmented Middle East.

Kelli's transformation is what sets the narrative of Return into motion. She comes back to find her surroundings and previously stable life quite different from what she remembered. Her loving husband Mike, played by Michael Shannon, makes constant strides to welcome her back into the normal rhythm of family life. However, Kelli finds herself disconnected from her role as a wife and mother. John Slattery plays Bud, a figure whose path intersects with Kelli's producing additional friction and turbulence in her life.

Cardellini displays a nuanced performance, slowly unravelling the complexity of Kelli’s character with a raw, emotional honesty. Kelli’s confusion, frustration and the feeling of desolation are at the epicenter of this film, magnificently brought to life by Cardellini. The movie does an excellent job of showcasing the internal conflicts veterans go through as they try to adjust back into their normal routines, challenging the notion of what "normal" means for different individuals.

The remarkable performances are further intensified by the film's technical virtuosity. The film is shot with a muted color palette, which mirrors Kelli's despondency as she struggles with the impact of her bleak emotional state. The camera works simultaneously as a participant and an observer, seamlessly oscillating between intimate close-ups and stark wide-angle shots, beautifully augmenting the character's emotional journey.

‘Return’ also pays tribute to its Midwest setting. It creates a vivid portrayal of small-town America, which seems unfamiliar and out of place for Kelli on her return. It is in this intricately recreated setting that Kelli's disconnect from her surroundings plays out, each location coated in a layer of love lost and a longing for a familiarity that no longer seems to exist.

When it comes to the film’s narrative approach, one word that comes to mind is ‘subtle’. Johnson’s storytelling evades an overt commentary on the war or the intricacies of the military experience. Rather, her focus remains acutely on the domestic and personal, on the every-day life and interactions where changes, caused by Kelli’s detachment, slowly unfold.

The character of Kelli is a central cornerstone, around which the other characters in the film weave their narratives. Michael Shannon effectively portrays Kelli's supportive yet increasingly frustrated husband. There's remarkable sensitivity and earnestness in the way Shannon negotiates his interactions with Cardellini, constructing a poignant narrative of a marriage in quiet distress.

John Slattery’s character, Bud, adds another layer to the rapidly expanding landscape of Kelli's path to a return. The conflict and appeal that Bud introduces into Kelli’s life is neither dramatically exaggerated nor facile, but a careful understanding of human imperfection and the desperate desire for connection.

‘Return’ takes audiences on an intimate journey, allowing them to walk in Kelli's shoes as she navigates the labyrinthine pathways of personal transition, relationships, and the search for familiar ground and emotional equilibrium. The film offers a nuanced portrayal of the complexities faced by veterans upon their return to civilian life, asking uncomfortable questions and provoking thought about how society receives those returning and the personal battles they silently fight. The idea of ‘home’ and ‘return’ takes on new meanings as Kelli navigates through her personal maze of rediscovery.

In summary, ‘Return’ is a testimony to the power of understated cinema, an exhibition of compelling performances, and a commentary on imperfections that define humanity and the imprints of personal experiences. Through the poignant portrayal of Kelli’s story, ‘Return’ presents an insightful narrative about readjustment, resilience, and the pursuit of finding oneself amidst changing circumstances.