Review of 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (2007) by Arash S — 08 Nov 2009

Realistic, extremely realistic, to the point that it is almost not even shocking, realistic. Mungiu's done a great job in depicting this real story as if this were just an ordinary incident in the communism-era Romania. Long shots, no close-ups, no cuts and no music. How are his characters supposed to make us feel for them? They aren't. Use your own human side instead.

Movies of this type do usually include long close-up shots which are supposed to get the audience to read something in the protagonist's face, find some kinda emotion or connection. Music of the sad monotonous type is usually also supposed to be there. But no, this director defies it all to make his personal version of a tragic rape/abortion story. Probably the only time in the movie when you do feel something not so ordinary happening is when the main character is running on dark streets hoping to get rid of a fetus; and surprise, the camera's on hand for a little while and shaking!

Don't want to be critical of his filmmaking because I loved his storytelling; it's just I can't think who else could have directed this story without raising some suspense or sympathy in me.