Wow!  What a film!  That is what I can say about this astonishing second feature by Romanian director Cristian Mungiu.  The action takes place in a small Romanian town one day in 1989 during the last months of communist rule.  That day is when Gabita (Laura Vasiliu) decides to get an illegal abortion - 4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AND 2 DAYS before the baby is due.

Director Mungiu tells much in a single scene.  Mungiu is fond of placing his camera on a tripod and have his actors act out their lines within a single shot.  Take the first, set in Gabita’s dorm.  The untidy room tells much about her and her best friend, Otilia (Anamaria Marinca) as much as the poverty surrounding them.  Also, snow can be seen falling through the room’s window, which sets the grim and pessimistic state of affairs.  If characters move, Mungiu follows behind with the camera handheld.  Very little tracking is used, as Mungiu spends his time setting up the props and staging a scene. 

But make no mistake that tragedy does not make dull movies.  On the contrary!  By shifting the protagonist and point of view to Otilia – this makes sense as Gabita is in bed most of the time recovering from the abortion – the mood, atmosphere of the time and place, and a more intriguing story can be told.  This includes a heated discussion between Otilia and her boyfriend, Adi (Alexandru Potocean) regarding their relationship, her disturbing and suspenseful disposal of the fetus and the dodging of the authorities.  (Abortion is a crime then.) Mungiu’s script tells much as well.  “Give me Lux, not Palmolive.  Palmolive gives me dandruff,” says Otilia to the black market man.  Besides economically setting the mood by dialogue, the conversation also shows that the poor cannot afford shampoo, and Otilia is one who takes care of herself – as she does Gabita.  Mingiu is great at creating suspense too, as when things go wrong in the hotel booking or when she finds that there is no answer in the hotel room when she calls back to check on Gabita after her abortion.

Mungiu’s characters are helpless victims – the doctor using the system but still caring for his patient; Gabita getting pregnant or Otilia escaping the tram ticket inspector.  Otilia is looked down by Adi’s family because of her poor social background.  Beneath all the unrest are deeply caring human beings like the angelic Otilia bound to look after for her best friend.

The stark cinematography is stunning, shot by Oleg Mutu, effectively capturing the bleak last days of the dying communist era.  Yet, most of the action takes place under artificial lighting.  Mutu is found of flickering fluorescent lights.  Mutu also shot the highly acclaimed DEATH OF MR. LAZARESCU, another recent Romanian 2005 film that hopefully will get released here.

4 MONTHS is a complex layered and occasionally powerful film revealing more during the second viewing.  Winning this year’s grand Palme d’Or prize at Cannes, it is the first of a planned series of films called Tales from the Golden Age.  Those impressed with Mungiu’s work will surely be pleased to note more are on the way.