4

The movie 4 released in 2004 is a Russian work of cinematic art that takes you through a labyrinth of surrealist storytelling. Directed by Ilya Khrzhanovskiy, this film engages the audience with a rich tapestry of astute perspectives, fraught tension, bizarre scenarios, and profound motifs.

The lead characters, played by Yuriy Laguta, Marina Vovchenko, and Sergey Shnurov, encounter each other in a bar in the opening scene and exchange riveting, made-up stories about their lives. Their fictitious narratives are a pivotal point around which the film's primary action orbits. Incorporating elements of absurdity that inspire equally strong measures of emotion and introspection, these tales set the movie’s tone, which oscillates between being obscure and explicit, dialing up to unsettling levels.

The titular character portrayed by Sergey Shnurov is Oleg, a pseudo meat dealer who is taken as a piano tuner by the audience due to the quirkiness of his story. On the other hand, Marina Vovchenko plays Marina, an alleged prostitute who claims to manage a high-profile modeling agency. These two characters' inventive, highly convincing stories create a sense of uncertainty and alter the audience's perception of what's real and what's not. This simultaneous juxtaposition of truth and fiction becomes one of the film’s central themes.

Yuriy Laguta plays Volodya, who introduces himself as a pianist. He adds his peculiar layers to the background stories, reserves his space in the scheme of things, and slowly develops into an essential part of the film's convoluted narrative. Laguta's stellar performance leaves the audience in awe, especially in the hauntingly chilling scenes where his character arc takes a sudden, unexpected turn.

The genius of 4 lies in its dreamlike sequences interspersed with stark, bizarre images that stir the viewer's imagination. The plot thickens as the movie transitions into mystic, grim territories. As the film progresses, the inexplicable connection between the three main characters starts to unravel, adding complexity, mystery, and irrationality to their relationship.

A crucial aspect that requires a mention is the depiction of Russian society across urban and rural landscapes. The movie examines the existential angst experienced by its characters within a dystopian Moscow and takes the narrative further into the Russian hinterlands, presenting a stark contrast between them.

The film effortlessly blends elements of horror, realism, and fable-like mysticism. Ilya Khrzhanovskiy's fantastic direction uses starkly atmospheric cinematography that morphs into surreal landscapes, which unnerved many viewers and disturbed quite a few. His adept perspective to showcase profound themes like the human need to fabricate realities, society's decay, and life's inherent absurdity is commendable.

Visually stimulating, 4 is full of unforgettable symbols and metaphors, which speak volumes about the characters' psychological state, the mysterious world they inhabit, and the humanity's ongoing struggle with absurdity. One of these symbols is the peculiar fascination with dogs, especially Dalmatians, seen throughout the narrative.

4 is flavored with an intense, pervasive darkness accompanied by unique, disturbing background music, equally compelling character arcs, and stunning visual motifs. It's a movie that constantly pushes the envelope in terms of cinematic storytelling. The film's uniqueness lies in its unpredictability, eerie atmospherics, and nuanced thematic depth.

Khrzhanovskiy, in 4, effortlessly challenges regular narrative conventions and transforms an intense, dreamlike experience into a terrifying exploration of reality and fiction, urban life, and rural exodus. It refuses to fit into any pre-determined box or established genre, making it an absolute masterpiece in Russian cinema's avant-garde section.

In conclusion, 4 is a cinematic tour de force. Its immersive storytelling, excellent performances, and metaphoric imagery knit together to form an unsettling experience that stays with the viewer long after they’ve watched it. It is an eccentric and surreal film that shakes its audience with an intricate narrative structure, unrepeatable characters, and an uncomfortably weird ambiance. It's a perfect example of a film that does not need to be just understood but experienced – an experience that haunts, disquiets, and awes, all at the same time.