Review of Beyond the Hills (2012) by Manny C — 20 Apr 2013
Young nuns living a life of seclusion in a monastary. The air of lust and yearning is all around, as are hints of possession, the demonic kind. But Beyond The Hills is no sex-filled horror show, rather it's a subtle, artful and moving take on whats sacred and what most certainly is not.
Beyond The Hills is the excellent third film from Romanian director Christian Mungiu, who made his mark with his potent 2007 abortion drama 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days. Beyond The Hills is a more cerebral, intimate affair.
Alina (Cristina Flutur) has arrived at the monastary to see her childhood friend Voichita (Cosmina Stratan), who now serves as a nun. There are hints these two best friends may have been more, but its never spelled out one way or another.
There's only Alina's desire to take Voichita away to a life beyond the monastary. The subtleties and nuances are a testament to both actresses, who are superb. And Mungiu skillfully allows for the bleakness of their lives to come front and center.
Anyone looking for spinning heads and projectile vomiting are in the wrong place. There's no Exorcist craziness going on here, just nuanced and potent provocation. Its result are astonishing.
This review of Beyond the Hills (2012) was written by Manny C on 20 Apr 2013.
Beyond the Hills has generally received very positive reviews.
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