Popular winner of the Palme d'Or at Cannes, Cristian Mungiu's masterfully told story is a gripping experience you will never forget. It demonstrates once again (c.f. The Death of Mr. Lazarescu and 12:08 East of Bucharest) that Romania is in the midst of a cinematic renaissance.

Romania, during the last days of Communism. Otilia (Anamaria Marinca) and Gabita (Laura Vasiliu) are students sharing a room in a hall of residence in Bucharest. Gabita has gotten herself pregnant and, with Otilia in tow, arranges to meet a certain Mr. Bebe (Vlad Ivanov) in a cheap hotel to procure an illegal abortion. Thus begins their all-too-real descent into danger.

"Pitch perfect and brilliantly acted, 4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days is a stunning achievement, directed with a purity and honesty that captures not just the illegal abortion story at its core but the constant, unremarked negotiations necessary for survival in the final days of the Soviet bloc. Showcasing all the elements of new Romanian cinema--long takes, controlled camera and an astonishing ear for natural dialogue--Cristian Mungiu's masterly film plays only one false note in an otherwise beautifully textured story... Certain to be spoken of with the same regard as The Death of Mr. Lazarescu, with which it shares cinematographer Oleg Mutu, pic is envisioned, like that surprise hit, as the first in a series, ironically titled 'Tales From the Golden Age.' Mungiu's goal is to visualize the overwhelming weight of the soul-destroying compromises of life during the Ceausescu years through clear-eyed, deeply humane stories..."--Jay Weissberg, Variety

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