Reviews of The Death of Mr. Lăzărescu
Displaying all 2 reviews
Jerry Johnson
4Mar10
Puiu’s bare naked mise-en-scene makes the Dardennes look like Penny Marshal in comparison. There’s nothing between his camera and his subject- he’s a master. The way he slowly, imperceptibly transfers protagonist status from Lazarescu to the people trying to save him (with various degrees of effort) is astounding. People who claim this is a black comedy are mistaken- it’s a straight-up, life-affirming comedy without a cynical bone in its body.
- Currently 5.0/5 Stars.
Ryan Borja
24Sep09
This is one of those rare films that lives on you long after you are through watching it.
The film is deceptively simple for what seems like a story that pulls a 24-hour period from an old man’s life for us to experience and see what it feels like to become Mr. Lazarescu. At the start of the film, we will learn that the old man is suffering from cancer and now needs treatment.
Yes, he receives help from neighbors, friends and finally from an ambulance assistant who stays with the old man in what seems like a walk-through of hell in a city in Romania when he’s transported, dumped and transported again from one hospital after another.
This walk-through provides us with a short but realistic view of the world and its people and of humanity that is often cruel. In the end, it is actually a parable telling us that grace and kindness comes from the the most unexpected person and people you will encounter in life.
- Currently 5.0/5 Stars.