Gloss

Gloss (Глянец) is a 2007 Russian drama directed by Andrei Konchalovsky, starring Yuliya Vysotskaya. The film delves into the high-stakes, glamorous but ruthless world of Russian fashion magazines. It traces the journey of a young woman navigating through the intertwined lives of models, editors, and businessmen in Moscow’s elite fashion scene. As ambition, manipulation, and power struggles intensify, the movie paints a vivid portrait of the darker side of fame and vanity. Gloss offers a commentary on contemporary consumerism and media influence, blending stylish visuals with dramatic storytelling to reveal what lies beneath the glittering surface of the fashion industry.

Critically, Gloss has received a mixed reception. On IMDb, the film holds a rating of 5.5/10, reflecting a lukewarm response from audiences. Some critics praised the film's stylish cinematography and Yuliya Vysotskaya's compelling performance, appreciating Konchalovsky's attempt to expose the superficiality and moral ambiguity in the fashion world. For example, viewers noted the film as "visually impressive" and complimented its atmospheric representation of Moscow’s elite. However, several reviews criticized the movie for its predictable plot and sometimes over-theatrical characterizations. The pacing was considered uneven by some, and the narrative was seen as lacking depth beyond its glossy exterior. Metacritic ratings are lower, pointing to a limited critical enthusiasm, while Rotten Tomatoes does not have sufficient ratings to provide a consensus. Overall, Gloss is regarded as a stylish but flawed exploration of ambition and vanity, appreciated more for its aesthetics than for storytelling complexity.