Cel mai iubit dintre pamânteni

A great novel by one of Romania's greatest writers was adapted (read: inevitably simplified) after the fall of Communism to make a film about how tyranny destroys people and ideas. The critique of early Communism published in that novel during late Communism was a sensation back then in Romania, and who knows if Preda wasn't actually aiming at the regime as a whole.

The all-star cast carries the film, headed by the formidable Stefan Iordache (one of the greatest actors ever), although the script has some plot holes or poorly explained transitions, and some characters are less complex than in the book. But the issue with adaptations is that a novel could never be transferred on screen and still keep its level and amount of insightful exploration, so we don't have to compare adapted movies to their literary origins.

The film is heavy and dark due to its tragic and awful subject, and also to its cinematic tone. Still, the most horrid aspect of that story is the almost general filth of selfish compromise which, despite appearances of social success sometimes, has actually destroyed the souls of so many around the main character. Thus, in this respect, he may really be the most beloved man on earth (as in the film's ironic title), because he at least tried to remain true to himself. 'If there were no love, there would be nothing'... This famous quote about love adapted from St. Paul was another slap in the face of an atheist, absurd, egotistic and cruel regime.

a great novel, brick of subtle resistance in Comunist period. a honest adaptation. and impressive Ștefan Iordache performance. for me, remember of high school last year when, in summer, I reading Marin Preda novel imagining its adaptation. my screenplay was different. but the work of Șerban Marinescu is gorgeous. for the accuracy of atmosphere recreation. for the science of details. for the occasion for Ștefan Bănică to make a fabulous role. his last role in a movie. for nuances of evil makes in front by Dorel Vișan or Mircea Albulescu. for image of profaned innocence of Marius Stănescu character. for measure of feelings in Colea Răutu performance. for Matilda by Maia Morgenstern ( in my vision, Matilda must be Tora Vasilescu ). for the music, image and autopsy of an absurd regime.

Arguably, the best Romanian movie to date. Benefiting from a powerful screenplay, based on a novel by Marin Preda, a cast composed of the best Romanian actors, excellent directing, the movie is a monument in film for the suffering of Romanian intellectuals in the hands of the communists. Never in the history of mankind, a doctrine created so much suffering for so long, for so many, and this movie is one of the few out there testifying to it. One day, the rest of the world will discover this gem and give it the proper recognition. But then again, that day may never come.

great expectations . and a modest result. not surprising. because the film is only large collection of words, images, brutality and clichés. Ștefan Iordache is the perfect Petrini but the viewer discovers it only as reader of the novel. Ștefan Bănică does the role of his career but that is one of rare good points of film. it is a travel without direction. Șerban Marinescu explores the skin of Marin Preda text but nothing more and that transforms the film in a package without content. only exercises to save the appearances. cold, dark, menacing, the film has a bitter message. but not purpose. and, unfortunately, it becomes one of many films after 1990 who presents only large slices of fury, frustrations, tries to kill the memories about recent past in a teenage style. nothing wrong. only sad when the film declares to be inspired by one of the most significant novel of XX century Romanian literature.

I do not expect this film to be well understood by viewers out of Romania. This tells something certainly about the value, or maybe about the lack of universality of the film, but also tells something about how different history and even life of common people was in Romania compared to other countries, even in Eastern Europe.

The film is an adaptation of a novel by Marin Preda, a controversial novelist who died during the Communist rule soon after the book was published. It tells the story of an intellectual, professor of philosophy whose life is crushed after he is imprisoned on false accusations at the end of the Stalinist era. Basically the first part of the film tells the story of his fight for survival in prison, the second describes his tentative to regain his life after being released. His release is actually only apparent, Romania of the 60s asks from him different types of compromises and crimes, but yet his fight for survival is as tough morally as in prison.

The film is splendidly acted by some of the best Romanian actors. Stefan Iordache who has the lead role would be in another time and another place a mega-star, we can get here a good glimpse of his fabulous acting art. Although suffering from a hesitant story-telling and falling sometimes in non-essential details or character comics, the film is still an important landmark for the Romanian cinema, as well as for the process of recovering the moral and historic values in the Romanian society.