4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days
Much like the recent, independent comedy hit "Juno," one of the characters in "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days" is a young woman facing some tough choices after discovering she's pregnant.The similarities between the two tales end there. While the situations in "Juno" led to some unexpectedly poignant moments, this well-acted but somewhat disturbing Romanian drama isn't much for feel-good sentiments.
Instead, it's more concerned with some of the harsher realities of life. That does mean there is some very troubling subject matter — including the depiction of an abortion. And, of course, that means it's not a very easy film to watch.
Rising Romanian actress Anamaria Marinca stars as Otilia, a college student who's been going above and beyond the call of friendship in regards to her roommate, Gabita (Laura Visiliu).
Most recently, Otilia has been trying to secure an illegal abortion for Gabita. That includes renting a hotel room for the weekend and arranging a meeting with the rather sketchy Domnu Bebe (Vlad Ivanov).
And as that fateful weekend progresses, it becomes a question of what ends Otilia will go to help her friend — even though that may cost her a relationship with her boyfriend, Adi (Alexandru Potocean).
And the film's scenes progress naturally and deliberately, not through expected Hollywood film pacing. So, the movie may seem a bit slow to some audiences.
However, he has a terrific lead in Marinca, whose convincing performance as the clearly conflicted Otilia holds our interest throughout the film.
"4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days" is not rated but would probably receive an R for strong sexual language (mostly profanity), brief female nudity, drug content and references (painkillers), a scene depicting an abortion, brief gore, a brief sex scene (implied), and some derogatory language. Running time: 113 minutes.
E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com