You Are My Only Love

A young girl leaves for the United States, harboring an unrequited love for her older brother’s friend whom she calls 'Uncle Zhenya.' Her departure hints at a distance that will echo through the years. The moment sets up a memory that will become a subtle undercurrent in the main story.

Two decades have passed and Yevgeny Timoshin is a former boxer turned engineer in Saint Petersburg, living with his wife Natasha and their daughter Olya. He moonlights as a grocery store loader to make ends meet while his elderly father begs in the metro, cheerful despite his circumstances. The family dreams of a brighter future in the United States.

Anna, Yevgeny’s childhood admirer, returns to Russia as a successful businesswoman in the United States and appears as the American firm's representative on a business trip. Her reappearance unsettles Yevgeny, reviving old memories and sparking professional tension. The encounter signs the collision of personal history with present ambitions.

The design bureau announces a joint venture with the American firm, and Yevgeny and his colleagues compete for a limited number of roles. The competition is intense, with careers—and perhaps a future move to the U.S.—at stake. The workplace atmosphere tightens as the stakes rise.

At home, Natasha insists that Yevgeny invite Anna over, sparking a fierce argument about love and duty. The tension exposes the strain between personal desire and family loyalty. The evening ends with Natasha and Olya storming out as Yevgeny sits with a drink, unsettled and torn.

That night, Anna confesses her enduring feelings and the possibility of a life together. They spend the night, and she offers to bring him to the United States, buying him a suit and coordinating with her old friend Alexei. The bond between them deepens, and a dramatic escape seems within reach.

The following morning, as they drive toward Anna’s hotel, Yevgeny sees Natasha drunk and dancing on a boat and insists on helping her home. The sight anchors his loyalty to family over the tempting offer of a new life. The moment underscores the emotional pull between two worlds.

That same morning, Yevgeny chooses not to go with Anna to the United States. Anna, in despair, attempts suicide but is stopped by guards; she leaves him with a bittersweet farewell, calling him 'Uncle Zhenya' one last time. The decision crystallizes the limits of their connection and solidifies his commitment to Natasha.

Reeling from the encounter, Yevgeny returns home to the forgiveness and warmth of his family. His father and neighbors gather outside, playing his favorite song as a symbol of community support. The scene grounds him in simple happiness and shared memory.

The film closes with Yevgeny remembering what truly matters and reaffirming his love for Natasha. The couple’s bond strengthens as they choose family happiness over grander dreams. The final moment emphasizes home, forgiveness, and quiet resilience.