Frames And Angles

It took some time to convince myself to watch this movie as I was hugely disappointed by the previous year’s Cannes Palme d’Or Winner, “The Taste of Cherry”. But after watching it I assured myself that “4 Months 3 weeks 2 days” deserves that recognition. “4 Months…” is an honest film at the least. Traveling safely on the border line between documentary and drama, it’s a disturbing tale of two friends, in need of an illegal abortion.

Romania, in 1987, under Nicolae Ceauşescu, has a sour look. People are questioned at every place. An ID card must speak at every gate. Black market is flourishing. And, abortion is illegal. Gabita and Ottilia are room mates in the college dorm where they study tech. The movie begins with a long silence, possibly after a heated discussion, between the two. Ottilia says OK, and Gabita thanks her. Ottilia has decided to help Gabita, to arrange for an abortion, an act that can easily take them behind the bars for years.

The rest of the movie follows Ottilia intimately and faithfully like a dog. Unwillingly, she takes control of the situation. Booking a room seems an exhaustive process. Questions, questions and questions after questions. Gabita has reconciled about the place and process of abortion with the doctor. But situations are not in favour of getting a room in the agreed hotel. Problems begin here.

Enter, Mr.Bebe, the merciless doctor, who apparently has an upper hand of the situation. All the three meet at the hotel room, and provide one of the best moments of the film. The discussion between the three is terrific – thanks to the splendid performances. The timid and helpless Gabita, the bold and confident Ottilia, and the nonchalant Mr.Bebe – all of them excel in their roles. Gabita had lied the doctor about the age of the fetus, Fearing that he might refuse to abort a baby any older than 2 months old. It is 4 months 3 weeks and 2 days old. That annoys the doctor, but the favors he expects back from the friends makes you feel that he is not genuinely annoyed. His intentions are something else. The entire sequence with the doctor is fantastic.

How the abortion is accomplished is better seen than said. Chicken hearted, stay away!

There is one particular sequence that is the defining moment of “4 Months..”. Gabita is lying down in the hotel room for the abortion process to be over. Ottilia is at her boy friend’s home, attending his mother’s birthday party as promised. Ottilia’s attention refuses to stick to the lengthy conversation between the guests at the dining table. Every moment is panicking. Ottilia sits quietly as though she does not exist there. Every passing second makes you restless, empathizing completely with Ottilia. If that long shot impresses you, you are gonna love this movie.

Does Ottilia whole heartedly offer this risky help? What drives her? Her explanation to her boy friend is another high point in the film.

At times, “4 months..” definitely tests your patience. The shots are long enough to have a look at your watch. Some shots dump unnecessary information and details on you. You wonder what the director wants you to do with them. But the film establishes its credibility by avoiding all kind of cinematic charm. The cinematography is just adequate. The camera’s movements are a little more than static. There is absolutely no background score. And yet the director delivers a compelling drama.

Wow!: Unbelievably Realistic; Sparkling Performances

Awwwwwww!: Drags.

Verdict: Watchable, with a good amount of patience.