4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (netflix instant)
year: 2007
director: Cristian Mungiu
starring: Anamaria Marinca (Otilia), Laura Vasiliu (Gabita)
"how far would you go for a friend?"
that is the tagline for this masterful film. however, a warning to all those who may be looking into the film for future viewing, i personally would stay away from any and all plot summaries. they all give away what the focus of the film is. and while we learn what exactly is up at about the 45 minute mark (the film is 2 hours) so it's not like a last second "wtf?!" moment that is ruined, but still, during the first 45 minutes as we're learning about the characters and what their plan is, i should be thinking, "why are they doing this? what are they so nervous about?" but instead, because i already knew what they were planning, it kind of ruined the whole, "whoa. wait a minute" intrigue and shock that would have come from the surprise had i not known.
without giving too much away, i'll simply say that the film centers around two friends who are about to do engage in something that will change both of their lives for the remainder of their days. it's one of those instance, i believe, where you will have good days and bad. some days where you may not think of what you've done and helped with, and other days where it crushes you.
the film, as expected with foreign films, is excellent in all individual categories: directing, writing, story and acting. the performances are notably masterful and feel frighteningly real while not being a "loud in your face" type of performance. it's more subdued, it's more complex and more of a "burning under the surface" performance than anything else. more, "held back" if that explains it better.
4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days is one of the most psychologically and emotionally impactful films i have ever seen. the emotional and mental toll of the story far outweighs what's happening on screen. the term "less is more" visually, takes into account. in the wrong hands, this could have been an awful, gross, distasteful film. but it was made with care and we know exactly what's happening, without actually seeing what's happening.
some will hate the subject matter. some will probably refuse to watch because of what the film is centered around, and because of that, maybe that's why it's included in a plot synopsis. i could easily see some people watching the film for 45 minutes and then turning it off in disgust because they don't believe in or understand what the characters are doing. again, not
visually in disgust, but just personally in terms of the story being told.
but even if you dislike the story, you cannot look past how excellent the film is on every level. and it does raise the question, "would you do this for a friend?", would you become mentally, physically and emotionally invested in something that you could easily turn your back to and leave for your friend to figure out for herself?
the film also expresses very vividly how living with this decision will be a burden on both main characters in very different ways. almost in the same way, but to varying degrees very different. and whether or not their friendship remains as strong as it was before, stronger after this incident, or if it crumbles under the possible guilt, pain and exhaustive toll remains to be seen. the film covers one day's time, and honestly, there is no way to envision what would happen, because everyone is different.
for those who may want to know what the big incident is, what the friends are doing, it will be in the spoiler here, otherwise, again, it can easily be found in plot summary on imdb, and i believe netflix:
[Show spoiler]the film is about a friend who helps her friend have an abortion in 1980's Romania
.
now i guess my only issue / question with the film, is one that is a lot like i had with The Road. in The Road, my question was
[Show spoiler]what made the world the way it is for our characters? why does it look like it is and why are there cannibals and death everywhere? was it necessary to know for the film? no.
and with that, it's the same here. my question here is
[Show spoiler]why does she want the abortion? was she raped? are they not allowed to have kids unless married? no kids at all? a new law? does she just not want to have it?
again, it's probably not necessary to know, but that was my only issue (even though it isn't an issue) with the film.
a film that will make you think and will make you question what it means to be a friend.
absolutely amazing.
5/5
All countries
Argentina
Austria
Belgium
Brazil
Bulgaria
Chile
China
Colombia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Estonia
Denmark
Finland
Greece
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
India
Latvia
Lithuania
Malaysia
New Zealand
Norway
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
Singapore
South Africa
South Korea
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thailand
Turkey
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
but will later tonight. i can't start blubbering at 4 in the afternoon. i'll be a wreck all day 
I'll let IMDb educate you on it: 
:strangle
and of course the gf loved it. although i'm pretty sure i have more of a crush / fan on reynolds than she does, which is weird 
we both enjoyed the film, but it isn't anything any of us have seen before.
ick. all that for a role in a film that barely made any money 
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