Some stories breathe life through the tension created by delaying the inevitable. Polina's story is based on just such a tension; it is a journey that begins with a young girl trying to exist in a new school, in foreign corridors, stepping into a difficult and unexpected agreement. Mikhail Vainberg, one of the young generation directors of Russian cinema, examines the cruel hierarchy of the high school environment and how unexpected forms human relationships can take in this film, which is fed from a literary source. The core of the story may sound familiar: bullying, obedience in exchange for protection, and feelings that blossom over time. However, the film's real power comes from the questions it weaves into this familiarity: Can a relationship be genuine even if it's built on lies? Is loving someone enough to be with that person? The dynamic between Polina and Bars initially resembles a cold negotiation built on power and submission. However, as the camera follows them, the distance between these two characters gradually and almost imperceptibly closes. These two characters, played by Daniyal Vegas and Veronika Juravlyova, represent two worlds that complement each other yet clash at the same time. Instead of relying on the clichés of romantic narrative, the film questions how environmental pressures can shape or destroy a relationship. Polina's family, her classmates, the invisible yet palpable social norms of the school—all these stand as barriers between these two people. And as a viewer, one looks at the screen not wondering whether these obstacles can be overcome, but whether they will be attempted to be overcome. The production, which carves out space for itself with its 134-minute runtime, is not hasty; it allows emotions to settle into the background. Although this slowness may require patience at times, it stands out as a meaningful choice when you consider the film's emotional buildup. For a film that clearly states in its title that it will break hearts, even this honesty itself constitutes an invitation.