Review of 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (2007) by Cory T — 20 Sep 2008

"4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days" is one of those movies that you will keep thinking about days and days after you have seen it; its images and themes, possibilities and unresolved situations. It takes the lovable, snuggly pro-life story of "Juno," and considers what would be if she were about 5 years older and living in occupied Bucharest near the end of the 1980s. Certainly, the young girl could have carried the child full term, but she is a full time college student and the Securitate government would have probably taken her child anyway; especially if it had been a boy.

This is a movie so rich in its simplicity and so powerful in its subtlle nuances that, to the careless observer, this film may look devoid of purpose. I assure you, though, this film speaks volumes about Communism and corruptable government control, women's rights, personal grievances and obligations, but mostly just human nature. Personally, I am pro-choice but anti-abortion. The film gives an unopinionated observation of the abortion process, potentially making the movie as a whole more difficult for many conservative viewers.

The glorious success of this film goes in large part to the brilliant performance from Anamaria Marinca. She, quite literally, does everything for her pregnant room mate except abort the child herself. The film is divided into long, episodic takes where the camera merely observes. There is no musical accompanyment of any kind. The characters are either speaking or sitting in silence. There is a realism on display here that is so rare, so painfully truthful, so rapturously entrancing, I forgot my surroundings many times throughout.

Marinca's character is dating another student whose mother is having a birthday. There scenes together have a uncomfortable realism underlying them, for they fall in and out of argument like any two people who have been together for many years. They know exactly how to push the other's buttons and what they're going to say next. Marinca seems happy with him at first, but after he realizes about what she is helping her room mate do, he seems strangely indifferent. Does he simply not care? Or does he care about his mother's birthday and the impression that should be made then more? Or is it all about him?

After the child is carried (for a more-than-obvious amount of time) and the fetus is disposed of, what then? Marinca's character tells her friend (Laura Vasiliu) that they are to never mention the night again. Vasiliu's character is a weak young woman, completely incapable of functioning without someone's guidance and assistance. As they sit in a darkened hotel restaurant, Vasiliu's character gazes absently at a menu. Marinca's character simply stares at her. For an awkwardly long time, this pose is held. Then, quickly, Marinca shoots her gaze at the omnisciently observing camera. And cut to black. What has she just realized? Besides having just become an accessory to murder, she seems to have just realized that she needs a new friend. Possibly, also, she just realized her boyfriend is not the man she wants rearing her children. If, ironically, she ever has any.

Many critics have said that this particular ending is inconclusive or misleading. But that's exactly it; the ending doesn't lead ANYwhere. The camera remains, from start to finish, a completely unbiased observer to every scene. We are not meant to resolve one particular conclusion from the events we just witnessed; only speculate and ponder.

"4 Months" is one of the best films of the year- I'm discounting it from 2007- and strongly encourage any individual who is seeking something more than just "entertainment to pass the time" to see this film.

It is unsettling, brilliant, perfect.