Aurora

This is a gloomy movie. It's cold, it's long, it's at times frustrating. And I think that's the idea of it. That's what Puiu wanted to put into it. These cold, long, frustrating feelings, the weird conversations and character. It's like some russian novel. I liked the idea, I liked Puiu's interpretation for this odd character, I liked the mood. Yes, maybe instead of making it a 3 hour long movie, it would've been better if it was set to only two hours. But nevertheless, it's a different kind of movie. All in all, not bad. 7 out of 10, though at first I was thinking about a 6.

It's plain crap, but it's long (3 hours!). The emperor has no clothes on, folks! Never mind the pretentious 'artsy' and dark filming, the awkward and long shots, the unexplained, unmotivated and undeveloped characters, and the other (very good) film by Mr. Puiu ('The Death Of Mr. Lazarescu'). This one is just a nightmarish vision of a dull life with apparently no events and no insight. At times it seems almost fantastic, and maybe that would have saved a bit this story if it explored the fantastic vein more. But no, it's just a mundane and boring hell, the fashionable (and limited) way of the intelligentsia to look at today's Romania (you know it even from the news: garbage, stray dogs, sloppy people). If Travis Bickle really had no life and if Mr. Scorsese had no brain, the result would be 'Aurora'. What a waste...

Beautiful movie. You need more than cohones to watch this movie. Not for stupid block buster consumers...

This reminded me of Albert Camus's "The Stranger" movie is filled with long shots....absence of words for most parts.....

The Police: "Why did you kill them ?" Protagonist: "I realize what I am saying has no equivalent. But, since I suppose you'll have statements and reports to fill in, I'll try to be as precise as possible...... .....I didn't get divorced because I wanted to. And getting divorced isn't just breaking up with one person. I couldn't leave things like that... .... I don't know what you think but I believe that the Justice system cannot comprehend the level of complexity of the relationship I had with my wife..."

I was amazed to find this one on Netflix, got thru three hours OK. Puiu himself as the bitter divorcee Viorel does a fine turn, consistently sour-faced, obnoxious, and aggressive with everyone he has to deal with.

I wouldn't over-react to the washed-out winter grime of Romania, "minus 11 in the capital". It's more of a backdrop than a critique. Puiu is interested in the moods of the scenes and angles, as our disturbed non-hero angles across rail lines, city streets, suburban alleys, and apartment corridors.

The end stage, where Viorel explains too much to the viewer, but also barely explains anything, is fun. And not inconsistent with how we humans are.