films seen
1
average score
1.00*
nationality
status
Alive and kicking
Movies
The Death of Mr. Lazarescu
by Cristi Puiu
Moartea Domnului Lazarescu
2005 / 153m - Romania
Drama, Comedy
The Death of Mr. Lazarescu thrives on a simple idea that is stretched out well beyond its breaking point. It's somewhat appropriate, since the film takes inspiration from (and makes direct references to) Dante's Inferno, but I'm not sure putting the audience smack in the middle of that Inferno makes for good cinema. You can read this as a realistic drama or a very dark comedy, I just saw a very (very) ugly film that is built on repetition and tragic clichés. I didn't care for the characters, the film keeps reiterating the same point and the presentation is absolutely drab. I'm not surprised this was a Cannes favorite, personally I prefer a different kind of drama/black comedy. Read all