First Hit: A very powerful and strong foreign film about the depth of being a friend.
Cristian Mungiu wrote and directed this outstanding, 1980’s set, Romanian film about a young woman assisting her roommate and friend with an illegal abortion.
Otilia (played by Anamaria Marinca) is one of those people who will do what she can for everyone. The film is constructed in such a way that the opening sequences give you a clear picture of her resourcefulness and desire to be of assistance.
Her dorm roommate is Gabita (played by Laura Vasiliu) who is pregnant and has set up an abortion with “Bebe” (played by Vlad Ivanov) who attempts to come off as someone helpful but really is only out to get what he can from these two women.
That Gabita is generally weak and illusive in her responses to everyone creates ongoing problems for her friend when she owns up to being farther along in her pregnancy than she initially told Bebe. Bebe refuses to do the abortion unless he gets his desires met from both the girls.
Gabita’s situation causes Otilia to think about her own relationship with her boyfriend and begins to question him on his commitment to her and by asking him what would he do if she were to get pregnant.
The way this film is shot, its direction and character development is outstanding. This truly is a powerful thoughtful film
Overall: I was engaged and moved by this film of friendship despite using the difficult subject of abortion as its vehicle.