Review of 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (2007) by Robot K — 11 Dec 2009

A harrowing tale of a black market abortion.

4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (2008) - 8.2/10.

Director - Cristian Mungiu.

Starring - Anamarie Marinca, Laura Vasiliu, Vlad Ivanov, Alexandru Potocean, Luminita Gheorghiu.

It's 1987 Romania and abortions are illegal. Gabita (Laura Vasiliu) finds herself with an unwanted pregnancy. Her college roommate and best friend Otilia (Anamarie Marinca) agrees to help her. They enlist a black market abortionist called "Dr. Bebe" (Vlad Ivanov) to terminate the pregnancy at a local motel.

"4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days" offers a disturbing look at what women will go through to terminate a pregnancy in a country where such procedures are illegal. The pregnant Gabita seems so bewildered by her ordeal that she can't adequately set it up which leads to Otilia getting more involved. Gabita fails to get a motel reservation, doesn't meet with Dr. Bebe prior to the procedure and fails to reaise all the needed cash. This only results in mistrust and increased paranoia when the two women finally meet Dr. Bebe. Not satisfied with the proceedings, and esecially disturbed that Gabita lied to him he "barters" with the women in order to complete the procedure.

"4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days" is certainly a grim picture. But it also shows the resilience and determination of Otilia as she navigates through Bucharest in order to help her friend. The film has a documentary-like feel as director Christian Mungui doesn't rely on gimmicks to tell his story. The camera-work is simple, but effective. The story is at the forefront here and it took a great performance to make it work and Anamarie Marinca certainly delivers here. Although her character isn't the one getting the abortion, Otilia is the one the film focuses on. Her actions and expressions are often more powerful than her words. It's a haunting performance in an equally haunting film.