PAST LIVES (2023)

December 5, 2023

Greetings again from the darkness. Circumstances being what they can be, I missed a couple of chances to see this one earlier in the year and have just recently been able to catch up. And such a treat it is. The first feature film from South Korean writer-director Celine Song is certainly one of the best movies of the year … and with a budget hundreds of millions below some of this year’s blockbusters.

Korean school kids Na Young (Moon Seung-ah) and Hae Sung (Leem Seung-min) are besties whose close friendship abruptly ends when Na Young emigrates to Canada with her parents. Twelve years pass with no communication between the two. Na Young, now going by Nora, moves to New York City to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a playwright. Hae Sung remains in Korea, takes a break from his engineering education to serve a stint in the military, before finishing up his studies. On a whim, Nora tracks down Hae Sung’s social media account, and it’s not long before the two have a Skype call and reminisce about their once strong bond, while also discussing how time has moved on.

Greta Lee (“The Morning Show”) plays adult Nora, while Teo Yoo is the grown Hae Sung. Twelve more years pass as Nora establishes herself as a NYC playwright and marries Arthur (John Magaro), while Hae Sung takes on a job in Korea. When Hae Sung decides to visit Nora in New York, he’s clearly hoping to rekindle the childhood bond. In many romantic movies, this reunion would end with the two lovers recapturing each other’s hearts, yet director Song ensures these characters stay grounded in reality, even as destiny and fate (described here as In-Yun) play a role.

The opening scene in a local bar bookends the film, and along the way, we are taught, “If you leave something behind, you gain something too.” There is a terrific pillow talk scene, and in fact, the dialogue throughout remains true to each character. This is a film about adulting, not fantasy, though the latter can have appeal at times. No matter how strong reality is, it never precludes us from wondering “what if?” … even if a sure sign of maturity is making decisions that keep us committed to our cause. This is a terrific film with characters whose story is remarkably relatable to just about any moviegoer.

Available on VOD

WATCH THE TRAILER

2 Comments | Drama, World Cinema/Foreign | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by David Ferguson

FALLEN LEAVES (2023, Finland)

November 30, 2023

Greetings again from the darkness. Finland is often listed as the country having the happiest people, and this latest from writer-director Aki Kaurismaki (Oscar nominated THE MAN WITHOUT A PAST, 2002) arrives to make sure we never again believe this. It’s not that the film is oppressively sad, but it does focus on loneliness … especially that of the two main characters.

These two leads are Alma Poysti as Ansa and Jussi Vatanen as Holappa. The timeline of their relationship goes something like this: They notice each other on karaoke night at the local tavern, but they don’t speak to each other. They cross paths at a bus stop, again not speaking. When they finally do meet, they go for coffee and a movie (Jim Jarmusch’s zombie flick, THE DEAD DON’T DIE). He then loses her phone number. They almost meet a couple of times outside the cinema (where a Bardot poster is displayed), but just miss each other. When they do meet again, they part ways over a ‘deal-breaker’. She adopts a stray dog she initially names “dog”. When they meet again, they don’t speak.

Some may call this progression dry, but with filmmaker Kaurismaki at the helm, a better description is wry. Ansa expertly sports a forlorn look most of the time. The only exception is when she flashes subtle signs of hopefulness when she looks at Holappa. On the other hand, he spends most every day and evening guzzling from a glass, a bottle, or a flask … a habit that costs him various jobs. His circular reasoning is explained as: “I’m depressed because I drink and I drink because I’m depressed.”  Adding to the tone are reports of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine every time Ansa clicks on her kitchen radio.

Ansa has a friend named Tanya (Alina Tomnikov) and Holappa has a buddy named Huotari (Janne Hyytiainen). He is attracted to her and she admires his singing voice, yet deems him too old to date. These two characters could have been expanded, but Kaurismaki is so efficient at storytelling that the film barely lasts 80 minutes. Static shots and wordless exchanges fill much of the time, each scene with a definitive purpose that we fully understand. Personally, I’ve rarely been so filled with hope as watching Ansa purchase a single plate and corresponding utensils.

The film is spartan and quiet, yet the deadpan characters feel real and fully developed despite minimal dialogue. There is certainly a message about alcoholism and how outside forces can have such an impact, and yet the film seizes on Ansa’s hope for a better day. Kaurismaki’s film won a Jury Prize at Cannes, and is Finland’s submission for Best International Feature Film. For those who thrive on intimate cinema, it’s a gem … and for those who doubt that “happiest country” label for Finland, you now have your supporting documentation.

Opened in NYC and Los Angeles on November 22, 2023, other cities to follow

WATCH THE TRAILER

2 Comments | Comedy, Drama, World Cinema/Foreign | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by David Ferguson

ANATOMY OF A FALL (2023, France)

October 27, 2023

Greetings again from the darkness. It’s not really possible to combine a murder trial with divorce proceedings, but this year’s Palme d’Or winner at Cannes comes about as close as we can imagine. Writer-director Justine Triet and co-writer (and husband) Arthur Harari wrap a ‘did she or didn’t she’ murder mystery in a relationship drama that plays out in a gripping courtroom drama. As for the title, there is an actual fall which leads to the dissecting of the slow fall of the marriage, as well as the emotional fall of having one’s entire life laid bare in a public setting.

Sandra Huller was brilliant in TONI ERDMANN (2016), a film that you should see if you haven’t already. She also starred in director Triet’s film SIBYL (2019), which led her to be cast here as Sandra Voyter, a German writer, wife, and mother. If Huller’s performance isn’t the best of the year, it certainly is in the top three or four. She is stunning as a complex character grappling to hold on to the life she wants despite the obstacles beyond her control … including an indictment and trial for murdering her husband.

There are so many pieces to this storytelling puzzle that it’s quite challenging to paint a proper picture without giving away any of the minutiae surrounding what is the film’s core: we never really know another person, and even knowing ourselves requires an honesty and perception most lack. Some of these pieces include jealousy, the motivation of a writer, guilt, blame, a child’s view of his parents, the French courtroom process, and the need for understanding and closure. These aspects (and more) weave a tangled web over an extended runtime of 152 minutes that not only keep us focused on the trial, but also on the behavior of Sandra, and the excruciating thought process of her 11-year-old son Daniel (a remarkable Milo Machado Graner).

A wonderfully awkward opening scene sets the stage for us to recognize Sandra’s annoyance and her (unseen) French husband Samuel’s purposeful intrusion. This leads to their partially-sighted son Daniel taking the dog for a walk, and his subsequent stumble upon his father’s dead body in the snow. The police investigation is inconclusive, with an explanation available for three possible causes: an accidental fall from the attic window, a suicidal dive from the window, or a deliberate push from that window. With conflicting evidence, and only theories at hand, Sandra is indicted and faces a trial focused less on her husband’s death, and more on the secrets and arguments – the ups and downs – of their relationship.

It seems the prosecution case boils down to … she must have done it because they had arguments and she wrote about it. The prosecutor is played by a fiery Antoine Reinartz, while Sandra’s defense attorney (and long-ago lover) Renzi is played by a calm Swann Arlaud. It’s only in a crucial flashback that we witness husband Samuel (Samuel Theis) and wife Sandra in the midst of an argument that seems to hold the clues needed to assist viewers in a final decision. However, even that isn’t simple due to the approach taken by son Daniel with his dog Snoop (also remarkable!).

The chalet in the French Alps plays a role in the fall as well as the relationship. Verbal sparring is not limited to the above-mentioned flashback, but also in the courtroom where the lines between solicitors crackle with preciseness as Sandra controls her emotions. Even the language differences between French husband and German wife are part of this, but the odd French courtroom process will likely catch outsiders off guard. This is a gem where we as viewers are chugging right along with Daniel and the judges as words and emotions take the place of physical evidence. Camera work from Simon Beaufils is unconventional yet succeeds in putting us in the chalet as well as the courtroom. Some may see the ending as ambiguous, but listening to the big argument and following the dog and Daniel should provide the clarity viewers seek.

Opens in theaters on October 27, 2023

WATCH THE TRAILER

4 Comments | Drama, World Cinema/Foreign | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by David Ferguson

THE ORIGIN OF EVIL (2023, France)

September 22, 2023

Greetings again from the darkness. Dysfunctional families are common fodder in films for the simple reason that most of us can relate … or at least walk away being grateful that ours isn’t THAT bad. I do trust (and hope) that your family bears little resemblance to the Dumontet clan at the center of this film from writer-director Sebastien Marnier and co-writer Fanny Burdino. This is a story filled with deceit and greed and conniving folks who make any of the reality TV housewives seem like Mother Teresa.

This is a tricky film to discuss while attempting to not spoil anything, so understand some of this is vague by design. Laure Calamy takes the lead as a line worker at an anchovy packaging plant. Her lesbian lover (Suzanne Clement) is incarcerated, and the money problems are piling up. She reaches out to the Dumontets to see if patriarch Serge (Jacques Weber) will accept his long-lost daughter, Stefane, back into the family. Jacques agrees, and soon she is on a boat to visit the ultra-rich Serge, who lives in a mansion on an island in the south of France.

As it turns out, Serge is the least of her worries. His wife Louise (Dominique Blanc) is an eccentric and colorful shopaholic or spendaholic who takes each day as a challenge to buy more items online and through TV shows. Daughter George (Doria Tillier) is a taskmaster who runs the family business and has no time for the newly-discovered sister. There is also George’s teenage daughter (Celeste Brunnquell) who mostly broods and looks forward to the day she can escape. Lastly, we have Agnes (Veronique Ruggia), the longtime housekeeper who is also not in favor of adding one more plate to the dinner table.

Director Marnier presents us a cast of nutjob characters, each who carries a secret and is working part of a self-serving scheme. Back-stabbing seems to be a shared family trait, and at times (2 times precisely) it spirals into murder. An extensive use of split screen allows Marnier to convey the duplicitous and conniving happenings. The accompanying music often makes use of a pipe organ – a sound rarely heard in movies that aren’t 1940’s horror films. Yes, the film is heavy on camp, but it’s also heavy on heavy, making the comedic moments even more effective.

Dominique Blanc is wonderful in her role, yet it’s Laure Calamy whose performance truly stands out and makes the story work. The set decoration is unlike anything we’ve seen before (taxidermy and VHS tapes are front and center), and the film acts as yet another skewering of the rich (at least it’s not rich Americans this time). Fans of Claude Chabrol will appreciate the homage, and most of us cringe at the unstable personalities in this dysfunctional family and its affiliates. It’s unclear how best to label this – comedy, mystery, suspense – but regardless of the label, there is a bit of fun in watching the entitled get a taste of comeuppance.

Opens in select theaters and On Demand beginning September 22, 2023

WATCH THE TRAILER

1 Comment | Thriller, World Cinema/Foreign | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by David Ferguson

A MILLION MILES AWAY (2023)

September 14, 2023

Greetings again from the darkness. A tongue-in-cheek note just prior to the closing credits provides us with one final smile: “Jose is the first migrant farmworker to have traveled to space.” This footnote encapsulates what this biopic is all about – dreams, commitment, sacrifice, and overcoming obstacles. Writer-director Alejandra Marquez Abella and co-writers Bettina Gilois and Hernan Jimenez adapted this from Jose Hernandez’s memoir, “Reaching for the Stars: The Inspiring Story of a Migrant Farmworker Turned Astronaut”, creating a wonderful (and yes, inspirational) viewing experience for the entire family. In fact, it’s the perfect selection for family movie night (other than the youngest kids who won’t understand the themes).

Superb character actor Michael Pena (the underrated END OF WATCH, 2012) takes the lead as Jose Hernandez, who grew up in a family of migrant farmworkers bouncing from town to town for harvesting work in the fields. Even as a child, Jose worked alongside his family whenever he wasn’t in school. And it was one teacher in particular who went above and beyond to change the trajectory of Jose’s life. Recognizing his potential, and his dream of going to space, the teacher spoke with respect to his parents in terms that made sense. Her actions, along with Jose’s dad passing along his recipe for success … the five ingredients serve as chapters in the film … allowed Jose to passionately pursue his dreams.

Along the way, Jose met and married Adela (Rosa Salazar, ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL, 2019), and the two began a partnership and a family … a large family. The theme of family is present throughout Jose’s story, as support and sacrifice are necessary at every step. We see group hugs in good times and bad. We see doses of reality when needed, and we learn that “tenacity is a superpower” as Jose begins his years-long pursuit of being accepted into NASA – a goal he achieved after eleven letters of regret.

Everyone faces obstacles, and some are greater than others. What sets some folks apart is their motivation to continue the pursuit. Perhaps words of wisdom from a parent or spouse hits at just the right time, or maybe it’s that one teacher who inspires a “can do” approach with a response to the “When I grow up …” essay assignment. Whatever else is involved, we recognize the tenacity that Jose displayed, and this film will likely inspire others to follow their own dreams. Supporting roles are played well by Julio Cesar Cedillo and Veronica Falcon as Jose’s parents, Garret Dillahunt and Sarayu Blue as astronauts, and Bobby Soto as a special cousin. Pena flashes the charm and likability to become the hero we admire, and director Abella eschews the cliches expected from such a story. The actual clips and photos at the end only add to this heartwarming movie perfectly suited to family movie night.

Premiers on Prime Video on September 15, 2023

WATCH THE TRAILER

1 Comment | Drama, World Cinema/Foreign | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by David Ferguson

CASSANDRO (2023)

September 14, 2023

Greetings again from the darkness. One of the possible indicators that a movie is well done and interesting is when it draws you in despite having no similarities to the world you live in. I was transfixed by this film from writer-director Roger Ross Williams (Oscar winner for MUSIC BY PRUDENCE, 2009 short) and co-writer David Teague. I am not Hispanic, have no affinity for wrestling, am not gay, and don’t wear makeup or do drugs or crave attention … all part of Saul’s life in this terrific little film.

The always outstanding Gael Garcia Bernal gives a top-notch performance as Saul Armendáriz who transforms into the titular Cassandro, an Exotico luchrador in the colorful world of Lucha libre (Mexican wrestling). Tradition says Exoticos take a beating in the ring while being subjected to the rowdy crowd’s homophobic slurs screamed at maximum vocal volume. But Saul, who took his performance name Cassandro from a soap opera, has a vision where he body slams tradition, and periodically wins matches while simultaneously winning over the crowd.

Saul and his mother (Perla De La Rosa) have a tight bond, one developed after Saul’s dad left home rather than accept his son who had come out as gay. We watch as Saul’s skill and notoriety improve thanks to his trainer Sabrina (Roberta Colindrez) and promoter Lorenzo (Joaquin Cosio). In this world, unique relationships develop, and we see Saul with both fellow wrestler Gerardo (Raul Castillo) and Lorenzo’s right-hand man Felipe (Bad Bunny). Ever-present is the cloud of ‘daddy issues’ that Saul carries, and we do wonder if the situation with his religious and closed-minded father (Robert Salas) will be resolved.

There is an odd cadence to the story’s progression, and a few times it feels like the script skips through some important moments, while dwelling on some lesser scenes. Examples of this include Cassandro’s climb to fame and an awkward talk show appearance where he is treated as a role model by a gay youngster. Still, the performance from Gael Garcia Bernal is so strong and charming … his face truly lights up while in the ring … that we can imagine on our own how he climbed the ladder of Lucha libre, as he instills in us the message of being who you are and staying true to yourself. All of this is complemented by a terrific score from Brazilian composer Marcelo Zarvos, who excels in the use of the trumpet here.

Opening in theaters on September 15, 2023 and on Prime Video beginning September 22.

WATCH THE TRAILER

1 Comment | Drama, World Cinema/Foreign | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by David Ferguson

GOLDA (2023)

August 24, 2023

Greetings again from the darkness. More than forty years have passed since the great Ingrid Bergman portrayed Israel Prime Minister Golda Meir in the TV miniseries, A WOMAN CALLED GOLDA (1982). Fighting through cancer during filming, it was Ms. Bergman’s final role, and she won a posthumous Emmy for a performance that left quite a mark on this young (at the time) viewer. Guy Nattiv won an Oscar for his excellent short film, SKIN (2018), and here he takes on a narrow, yet vital window in the term of Golda Meir … a time when the survival of her country was in jeopardy. The screenplay was written by Nicholas Martin (FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS, 2016).

Under heavy make-up and facial prosthetics, Oscar winner Helen Mirren expertly captures the essence of Golda Meir at a time she was carrying an unimaginable burden. The opening shoots through a quick slideshow of history before settling into 1973 and the escalating conflict between the Arab states (led by Egypt and Syria) and Israel. Despite the presence of some intelligence warning of such, Israel was caught off-guard by the surprise attack, and found themselves scrambling for the next 3 weeks – the period that makes up the core of the movie. Slump-shouldered and chain-smoking (sometimes defiantly), we see Golda making huge decisions between trips for lymphoma treatments. Her decisions would be the determining factor on how many soldiers would die, and whether Israel would remain independent.

It’s the level and question of that intelligence that provides the film’s framing structure of Golda Meir appearing before the Agranat Commission – a commission designed to render after-the-fact judgment on her decision-making and war strategy. As we witness, some of that strategy involves gut feelings and instincts, yet what the film makes clear is that Golda understands war kills real people – these aren’t just numbers in a report. Included in these meetings are the Minister of Defense, Moshe Dyan (Rami Heuberger), Chief of Staff “Dodo” Elazar (Lior Ashkenazi), and Field General (and future Prime Minister) Ariel Sharon (Ohad Knoller). Camille Cotton plays Golda’s longtime personal assistant Lou Kaddar, and some of the best scenes are the private conversations between U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger (Liev Schreiber) and Golda, as she pushes for assistance and support, with Kissinger in a tough spot.

This Yom Kippur War lasted barely three weeks, yet the profound stress of war-induced decisions is obvious in Golda, as is her stance as a tough leader. For her, this did not mean sacrificing human emotions, but rather being decisive, communicative, and surrounding yourself with a capable team … although disloyalty in her administration is hinted at by some. Golda lived (just) long enough to witness the infamous Treaty signed by Menachim Begin and Answar Sadat, a treaty made possible through her leadership.

The film more closely resembles DARKEST HOUR (2017), with Gary Oldman’s Oscar-winning performance as Winston Churchill during WWII, than THE QUEEN (2006), Ms. Mirren’s own Oscar-winning turn as Queen Elizabeth. Actual newsclips are mixed in for historical perspective and the score by Dascha Dauenhauer leans heavily on dramatic stringed instruments. A final song by Leonard Cohen caps things off. While it’s true that most of the storytelling doesn’t reach the level of Ms. Mirren’s performance, that performance is enough to convey the high stakes involved.

Opens on August 25, 2023

WATCH THE TRAILER

3 Comments | Drama, World Cinema/Foreign | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by David Ferguson

THE MAN FROM ROME (2023)

June 29, 2023

Greetings again from the darkness. It appears as if Catholicism has gone high-tech! Of course, with that comes the risk of being hacked, and that’s how this film from writer-director Sergio Dow begins. Based on the 1995 novel “La Piel del Tambor” (“The Skin of the Drum”) by Spanish author Arturo Perez-Reverte, the list of those with a writing credit includes: Adrian Bol, Beth Bollinger, Gretchen Cowan, Carolina Lopez-Rodriguez, Sheila Willis, and Luis Zelkowicz, Yes, so while the premise is appealing, it’s likely too many fingers in the writer’s pie created the tangled web that prevented this one from reaching greater heights.

Richard Armitage stars as Father Quart, the best Priest-Investigator the Vatican can offer. Mr. Armitage performed admirably in a couple of Harlan Coben limited series, “Stay Close” and “The Stranger”, and he has a unique and quietly compelling screen presence … and probably very few other actors could come across as somewhat believable in the role of Priest-Cop. Still dwelling on a tragic error in his last case, Quart is sent to Seville, Spain where a 17th century church has been the scene of some recent unexplained deaths. Upon arrival, he learns the church is also a key element in a family squabble related to a pending land development deal.

Macarena (Alma Salamanca) and her mother Duquesa Cruz Bruner (Fionnula Flanagan, dropping her familiar Irish brogue for a Spanish accent) are self-funding the church renovations, while Macarena’s estranged husband, the ambitious and unscrupulous Pencho (Rodolfo Sancho) is pushing for the razing of the church so the large development project can proceed. Also included in this battle are Gris (Alicia Borrachero), who is the church’s architectural restorer, Monsignor Spada (screen veteran Paul Guilfoyle) pushing Quart to close the case, Padre Ferro (Paul Freeman), the Priest from the small church who believes Quart is the bad guy, Padre Cooey (Carlos Cuevas), a Priest with other-worldly tech skills, and the always great Franco Nero who plays the Pope in a couple of scenes (interesting that he also played a different era Pope in Russell Crowe’s recent thriller, THE POPE’S EXORCIST).

The deaths occurring inside Our Lady of Tears church may or may not be mysterious, but what is clear pretty quickly is that greed and corruption are quite prevalent in this situation. The film opens with Father Quart offering his own personal confession, and this is meant to convey that he really is a good guy (not a perfect one) looking for answers … not a lackey sent to get the high-dollar deal closed. The film is at its best when Armitage is on screen, yet the story might have benefitted from a deeper dive into the corruption aspect.

These days, a money-laundering scheme is the preferred scandal for the Catholic Church, and it’s kind of humorous to think that the Vatican might have a bullpen of programmers wearing Priest collars as they cyber-protect the Church. There are some fight scenes that aren’t particularly well-staged, although the work of renowned Spanish composer Roque Banos is a highlight, as are the beautiful locales. We are left feeling like this could have worked best as a limited series on Netflix.

Opening in theaters and On Demand June 30, 2023

WATCH THE TRAILER

1 Comment | Drama, Thriller, World Cinema/Foreign | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by David Ferguson

POLITE SOCIETY (2023)

April 27, 2023

Greetings again from the darkness. If you have ever wondered what it might look like if Quentin Tarantino consulted on a modernized Pakistani version of Jane Austen … well, writer-director Nida Manzoor shows us (with no actual assistance from QT), including stylized martial arts, class warfare, and an obsession with a stuntwoman career. It’s Ms. Manzoor’s first feature film (she created the TV series “We are Lady Parts”) and she presents an extremely creative film with a balance of silly and dark themes that proves immensely entertaining.

Relative newcomer Priya Kansara stars as Ria, a private school student highly determined to achieve her goal of becoming a working stuntwoman. She remains laser-focused on this despite her teacher and parents laughing off such nonsense and re-directing her towards becoming a doctor. Ria also adores her older sister Lena (Rita Arya), although worried about her since she recently dropped out of art school and seems to be rudderless in life.

Things change quickly for everyone once rich mama’s boy/doctor Salim (Akshay Khanna) begins courting Lena. Ria senses things aren’t right with the relationship and is also convinced that Lena should resume her dreams of being artist, rather than being pursued by the handsome, rich, too-good-to-be-true suitor. Ria and her best friends Clara (Seraphina Beh) and Alba (Ella Bruccoleri) scheme to undercut the relationship, but they are no match for Salim’s mother (a terrific Nimra Bucha), who sports the best evil Grinch grin you’ve ever seen.

Director Manzoor divides the film into five chapters: A tale of two sisters, EID Soiree, Operation Wife Hunter, Assault on Shah mansion, and The Wedding. Each chapter offers comedy and action, and a matching of Ria’s wits and instincts against the plans and beliefs of others. Ms. Kansara impresses as an upstart female Jackie Chan with superior acting chops. She executes the physical martial arts sequences beautifully, yet also shows promise in the quieter, more intimate moments when emoting and dialogue matter. She is certainly one to watch … as is filmmaker Nida Manzoor. Anyone who can entertain at this level deserves the opportunity to do so as frequently as possible.

Opening in theaters on April 28, 2023

WATCH THE TRAILER

1 Comment | Action, Comedy, Drama, World Cinema/Foreign | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by David Ferguson

R.M.N. (2023)

April 27, 2023

Greetings again from the darkness. Welcome to ‘Hypocriteville”. Or the town of Bigotry. Or Xenophobia City. Regardless how vile each of these labels might be, they each fit in the Transylvania community at the heart of writer-director Christian Mungiu’s latest film. Of course, as with most derogatory labels, the accused would never admit the shoe fits, and paraphrasing Shakespeare, would likely protest too much. Mungiu’s brilliant 2007 Palme d’Or winner 4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AND 2 DAYS was inexplicably not nominated for a Best Foreign Language Oscar, and he proves again his unique mastery of the medium.

Our introduction to Matthias (Marin Grigore) occurs as he violently head butts his rude supervisor after being disrespected. Matthisas then returns to his home community where he encounters Ana (Macrina Barladeanu), the mother of his young son. Rudi (Mark Edward Blenyesi) is 8 years old, and he has recently witnessed something in the forest that has frightened him into silence. Ana does what she can to comfort him, while Matthias pushes him to ‘man up’ and face his fears. Matthias also re-connects with his former lover, Csilla (Judith State), who is the manager of the local bakery in town.

Csilla is working diligently to hire more employees at the bakery in order to qualify for grant money. The problem is that no locals want to work for minimum wage. Instead, many locals head to Germany and other areas for higher paying jobs, and the conflict arises when Csilla hires a couple of men from Sri Lanka. It’s at this point where this mishmash of citizens begins their racist rants … this despite being a mixed community where many friends and family member have headed out to find jobs in other areas. “Not in my backyard” is a phrase used so often in communities fighting against some cause, and that’s exactly what’s happened here.

Mungiu’s excellent film peaks with a 15 minute (or more) single take scene – a town hall meeting where a couple of dozen citizens speak out showing their small-mindedness. It’s painful to watch, yet also mesmerizing. Csilla and Matthias are front and center for the scene and both are superb, especially Csilla’s facial reactions and Matthias’ cowering (this after flaunting his powerful masculinity for so much of the film). By the time this scene concludes, this viewer was mentally exhausted while also being in awe. It’s this reaction which makes that final scene so confounding and seemingly out of place. Mungiu taps into the human behavior that we so often question these days, and he does so in a way that never preaches or judges. It’s truly exceptional filmmaking … except that final scene.

**NOTE: In Romania, an MRI is RMN (the film’s title)

Opens April 28, 2023

WATCH THE TRAILER

1 Comment | Drama, World Cinema/Foreign | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by David Ferguson

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »