The Romanian New Wave is going strong. This film is at least as successful as everyone’s 2007 favourite, 4 Months …, even though its theme isn’t as sensational. The title has been translated as Police, Adjective – in Romanian, the term “politist” means both police officer, and the quality of pertaining to police business. Thus, the film is ultimately about meaning: what it means to uphold the law, and to follow your conscience.
Dragos Bucur has really come into his own as an actor, he does a great job here. Director Corneliu Porumboiu (who also made the excellent 12:08 East of Bucharest) has made the bold decision of using many long, contemplative shots that will test the patience of today’s audience used to having a cut every 3 seconds.
Fortunately, the film is sprinkled with lots of witty dialogue, and it all pays off in the end. The ending reminded me of a similar scene in A Clockwork Orange, although the style is obviously quite different.
****
