Review of 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (2007) by Colin E — 03 Sep 2011

Set in Bucharest near the end of the Communist rule there, this Romanian drama takes a detached look at a college student's attempt to get an abortion with the help of her roommate. An abortion in Communist Bucharest is illegal so they take precautions to have the procedure done at a hotel in a seedy neighborhood with the assistance of a physician whose motives are questionable.

The filmmakers take no political stance towards the legality or morality of abortion but show us in unflinching detail the lengths that these two women go to psychologically and financially. The movie subtly begins with an introduction to the characters and a scenario that we aren't fully made aware of.

There is no back story regarding the pregnancy or the consequences of varied options. Director Cristian Mungiu favors long takes and a spare, minimalist style. There is no music and often action takes place out of frame as the camera focuses on an individual while another may be heard but not seen.

Emotionally wrenching without feeling calculated the movie shows us a world where individuals are willing to make difficult sacrifices for the freedom of choice. Excellent acting by the two leads, Anamaria Marinca and Laura Vasiliu.

Won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. In Romanian with English subtitles.