4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (2007) NR - 3½ Stars

The movie gives a good depiction of the way things used to be during Communism in Romania. A young girl becomes pregnant and seeks an illegal abortion. The movie is in Romanian with subtitles and though that is a always a challenge to watch and read at the same time, the imagery alone is what makes the movie powerful. Shot with subdued lighting, you can feel the panic with the girls as they get rid of an unplanned pregnancy. I really felt for Otilia as she had to go through so many emotional stages in order to protect her friend and avoid being caught. Anamaria Marinca does a great job in her role of the good friend Otilia.

It's the late 1980's and Communism still rules over Romania. Otilia (Anamaria Marinca) and Gabita (Laura Vasiliu) are two young girls that share a Bucharest flat with other students while attending school. When Gabita discovers she is pregnant, she gets Otilia to help her find a doctor willing to preform an illegal abortion. It's Otilia's job to meet with Mr. Bebe (Vlad Ivanov), and work out the details of finance, the when and the where. He makes it very clear what he expects but a botched reservation at the proper hotel is not made and Otilia has to find another hotel, which does not make Mr. Bebe very happy. in fact when he must give up his ID to the desk, he refuses to accept money in return for his services but instead demands sexual pleasures Otilia for payment.

2007 - 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days - Toronto Film Critics - Best Foreign Language Film.
2007 - 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days - Chicago Film Critics Association - Best Foreign Language Film.
2007 - 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days - Cannes Film Festival - Palme d'Or.

IFC Films
Director: Cristian Mungiu
Writer: Cristian Mungiu
Producers: Cristian Mungiu, Oleg Mutu

I viewed 7/08