JPF Home Page Forums Creative Arts Forums Acting, Theater, Film and TV Forum "G-A-C" Review: "4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS & 2 DAYS"/A.Marinca/ L.Vasiliu

It never ceases to amaze me what people make movies about..& audiences pay good money to see.

"Let's go to the Old Tampa Theater" said La Femme, since we'd already seen just about EVERYTHING at the nearby AMC that wasn't a "Kid Flick". "I hear there's a Russian Movie with English Subtitles Downtown"..so off we scooted, arriving JUST at the Main Feature Began.

What Followed, "4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS & 2 DAYS" was an Award-Winning (Cannes "Palm D'Or"/Chicago Film Critics' "Best Foreign Film 2007") RUMANIAN Film, written & directed by Christian Mugui. It was the most difficult to watch movie I've EVER seen..yet in its own stark way, it IS The Ultimate "Chick Flick".

Why? Because it's basically about 2 College-Level Romanian Roommates facing, financing, & surviving an Abortion, hence the Artsie-Poetic Title. Laura Vasiliu plays Gabriela Dragut..a gal with a Big Problem..because in 1980's Rumania any abortions after "Month 4" get you..& the Abortionist..a 10 year Prison Sentence.

Carrying the Picture..and the Plotline, is Animaria Marinca.."Gabita's" Roomie..who, herself, has Guy Issues..admirably-playing Otilia. Life is drab, & very-demanding in this Formerly-Communist, STILL Very-Cathoilic Country. It's neither cheap nor easy renting a Hotel Room 3 days on a Student ID & limited funds...& The Abortionist isn't going to be a bargain when he finds this isn't an easy "Month 2" job, after all.

I know I'd have enjoyed this movie MORE...IF the Abortion was mostly OFF-Camera. BUT, Director Mugui wants us to endure what his Actors endure...& Welcome to Real Life...you learn a whole lot MORE about Real Life than you ever wanted-to.

But..it does present you with the "Ultimate" in Sisterhood, as Chick-Flicks go. Everybody makes Mistakes/SOMEBODY's got to PAY for them...

After seeing this Movie, I think you'll agree women pay a lot MORE than Guys ever do..on This Particular Issue.

So I give this really SAD, Gruelling..& Compelling Flick a "6-Outta-10". It's an Eye-Opener..& a Heartbreaker...

SOMEBODY had to say & film this..& I'm honestly glad they did.

JMO..Keep or Sweepit!
Big Hugs,
Stan

I saw it and thought it was pretty visceral. It was interesting to see Romania as we'd just been in the Eastern Europe and they really portrayed the stark sadness that living in those places in that era must have produced. It's very different than a hollywood movie and much more blunt. I think it has a naked honesty about the brutal scenario that probably played out many times. I've read where more babies were (and perhaps still are) aborted in Russia than born. This is as close to being a documentary as films really ever get. It's not a happy movie going experience. But it's a powerful one for sure.

I'd likely rate it higher for those reasons.

Brian

I probably would have, BUT...let's face it, this ISN'T a very ENJOYABLE Movie. I didn't feel Spiritually-Uplifted, either...matter of fact, I wanted to pen a song Pounding Christians for their Unbending Viewpoint on Abortions..after I saw this.

So..I patted the Director AND Actors on the backs, WHILE warning viewers that this ISN'T your Usual Fun Nite Out at The Flicks.

As for me, this one's the closest I've EVER come to walking out in Mid-Movie...& I CAN tolerate a LOT of Whatever a Director wants to dish out. I also don't think watchin' a perverted Abortionist bumpin'-his-price-up is Great Entertainment. BUT..I did rate it Higher than Mid-Range because it is well-directed & crafted. & yeah, it's stark & powerful. So is Cocaine... But AM I a better person for having tried Both? (The Drug was, at least, Moderately-Euphoric.) ;-)>

Downer-Flick..but yeah, "powerful". Abortions usually are.

Big Guy-Hug,
Stan