Oameni de treaba

While the story is fairly simple, Paul Negoescu (who did the 2016 hit film Two Lottery Tickets) certainly gives it a typical Romanian twist which will keep us expats chuckling and foreign audiences well entertained.

There are quite a few similarities with the deadpan narrative style of the Coen Brothers in "Fargo": a rural police officer, who covers up the mayor's smuggling activities, has just gotten a new partner when a murder happens. It's pretty clear from the start who's responsible, but since this community is ripe with corruption, the cop knows better than to investigate for real. Yet another event pushes him into a crisis of confidence, resulting in a quite unforgettable showdown.

The film starts very slow and observant like the Romanian New Wave ones but gradually changes into a very dark comedy. It deserved its many Gopo awards (domestic Oscar) for this, especially for Iulian Postelnicu's zero to hero performance. Rare for a Romanian film, it got released in the US, so I suppose it may land an Academy Award nomination. Like Caranfil, Negoescu is a bit too funny for the European idea of a Romanian film, so you'll have to search for this if you live abroad, but it's definitely worth it.

The movie starts off in a similar manner to other post-communist Romanian pictures: slow-paced mood, pictoresque, loads of time to immerse oneself in the universe of the characters. We meet the protagonist, who's in no way fitting the portrait of the all-time hero. A middle-aged policeman in a small town with failed experiences trying to make something of himself in both his personal and professional lives. Everything seems dull and slow until he gets a new partner, which coincides with a strange crime rocking the serene life of the village.

The acting of Iulian Postelnicu is superb and well deserves the prize for best male performance for the GoPo 2023 award. The supporting characters are also great, and everyone portrays a very believable remote Romanian small-town society with all the works of "men of deeds" leaning on each other. I personally really appreciated the ending, which was something different from what I am used to from Romanian cinematography, which all too often plays the moderate, introspective closure. The change in pacing is surprising but well delivered in a dramatic manner with a comical hint. So give yourself some time and enjoy the movie; it will not disappoint.

This movie depicts the everyday struggle that people still live in Romania even after 34 years of democracy. Of course the struggle is dramatically increased but it sums up the point perfectly. I consider it to be well directed, the acting is great and it keeps you wondering until the end. It is sad but hopeful and I really believe it can be considered a modern masterpiece. The ending is a metaphor as is the entire film.

I felt like I was there and had to make the same choices as the characters. It gives you clues of what might happen but keeps you wondering until the end if your assumptions are true or false.

Really worth watching!