As a film enthusiast who eagerly anticipated Tandari, I approached the release with great expectations, driven by the reputation of its accomplished director, who also penned the script. Given the impressive track record of the filmmaker, I was thrilled by the prospect of witnessing another brilliant addition to Romanian cinema. Unfortunately, my anticipation was met with unexpected disappointment.
It's difficult to separate personal letdowns from an objective analysis of the movie. However, if the film was intentionally crafted as a satire of language clichés, insipid conversations devoid of pace or color, and the hollow intellectualism often found in Romanian films, then it has succeeded masterfully. If the aim was to create a meta-commentary on the pretensions of both cinema and its characters, Tandari nailed it.
That being said, cinema demands more than a clever ironic concept. In the concise format of a 20-30 second advertising spot, building up to a witty punchline works beautifully. Unfortunately, this structure doesn't translate successfully to a feature-length film. I combed through the film's long-winded dialogues in search of clever lines or moments of sharp humor but found none. The result was a narrative that felt intellectually stagnant, where the characters seemed outshone by the actors' own blasé performances.
As much as I hoped to be charmed by Tandari, it ultimately felt like a misstep. Without engaging storytelling, memorable dialogue, or authentic character dynamics, the film fails to deliver. While I respect the filmmaker's ambition, Tandari is a regrettable "no" for me.
