Morometii

it remains one of the most impressive Romanian films. not only for the artistic virtues. but for a wise manner to translate the reality on the screen. admirable performances, great story and the art of Stere Gulea to give the right adaptation to a state more than a novel. Victor Rebengiuc did his the second role of his life as importance, after Apostol Bologa , and Gina Patrichi gives , again, the measure of her special gift to transform her in the most impressive characters. more than a film, it is a testimony. about art, about Romania behind the political/social changes, about family and about the status of its members. about a world, so inspired presented by Marin Preda in his novel, so precise defined by Stere Gulea in his film.

This is a great movie to watch, since Victor Rebengiuc, the actor playing Ilie Moromete has the most convincing acting i've ever seen. I would compare him with great Hollywood names such as Robert DeNiro or Al Pacino. And in doing so, he plays according to the book and very into the character. Ilie Moromete can be considered a very funny man, because his comments are acid and humorous in the same time, always striking his discussion partners with his answers. He is also very cunning, resolving many of his problems in a very intelligent manner.

a strange film. because , it has in same measure, artistic and political value. the profoundity and force of Ilie Moromete role is out of commentary. the impressive art of Stere Gulea to recreate atmosphere, beauty, nuances of Marin Preda novel is an obvious fact. Victor Rebengiuc or Gina Patrichi are masters of subtle masterpiece. but, more that, it is an extraordinary manifesto against a sick regime. it is prefiguration of Romanian revolution of December 1989 for the courage to present a free village, economical pressure, the plagues of radical metamorphose, stupidity of politics and image of few men for who reality is prey for honest opinion. a movie far from recipes. few slices from Tarkovsky are just ways to same message - the skin of events is not theirs soul.

Imust admit I was a bit hesitant about this film. I couldn't stand the subject back in high school, but this movie worked for me as a window into what Romanian cinema could have been. It's a very cinematic film, and the involvement and thoughtfulness of the technical crew-from the camera assistants and set designers to the director are clearly felt.

The framing is well done, with that artistic "retro" feel: slightly off-center shots that allow the viewer to focus not only on the main character but also on the details that enrich the story. The script itself is not extraordinary, but the subject is rarely tackled nowadays. Fewer and fewer films focus on the reality of ordinary people's lives, as this story about the Moromete family does , poor peasants trying to survive from one day to the next.

I like how the action unfolds slowly until a certain point (when Moromete explodes and beats the two boys), after which it suddenly picks up speed. I also like how, although the story is about the whole family, it is seen through the eyes of the youngest child, who is the complete opposite of a peasant in attitude. I can't say the acting impressed me much, except for Victor Rebengiuc, whose expressiveness is fantastic.

The cinematography, sound, and screenplay blend beautifully to create a true work of art. If you place a contemporary production next to Stere Gulea's film, the difference is obvious: one is just a money-making machine, while the other is a carefully crafted piece. For 1987, this black-and-white film gives the impression of an old American movie maybe even a western, which I think also has to do with the technological limitations of communist Romania.

At 2022, this one is freely available on Romanian movies website Cinepub.

Longish, but well worth a watch. Sort of brings the same B&W authenticity to old time rural Romania as Satyajit Ray brought to rural India. The male and female leads are both excellent.