The Second Game

Jason

Can you even begin to fathom how brilliant this enacted idea is? This postcard has arrived just in time to be read over the Porumboius' shoulders by anybody with even a cursory interest in the 20th century ... and, you know, art.

jamesey

As a soccer fan, this was fascinating. As a dabbler in history, this was great. I absolutely loved it, but I can definitely understand how it would be miserable if you dont like the sport. A similar film about baseball would put me to sleep.

smndvdcl

A unique documentary premise that highlights the value of spectating sport anachronistically. The autobiographical element to commentary is intriguing, the context of a match in the snow a rarity, the comparison between present day football and 80s matches, an intriguing curiosity, the "let them play" attitude to reffing, ideologically profound, and the game's innate inactivity one of its paradoxical USP's. Poetry.

msmichel

Former football referee Porumboiu sr. sits with his film director son and watches a game he called between the army team and not so secret police team from the 80's. Minimalist to the extreme but interesting and knowing in a subtle way.

saitosouta

This is Mystery Science Theater 3000 : Romanian New Wave Special. Ultimately minimal, surprisingly funny. But this is less funny than "Asylum (2014)" in same style. Watch "Asylum". (MUBI)

Vlad

Porumboiu Sr.'s "let them play" attitude towards football is reflected in his son's attitude towards cinema. The advantage rule is how referees assert their personality and influence on a game, deciding upon the degree of fragmentation.

Zoë Ormonde

Interesting concept, but I wish there had been more substance to the film. I would have liked to have heard them talk more about what it was like to play football in Romania during Ceausescu's time, for example.

Max Seqgar

The idea of it is brilliant, but at the end the son-interviewer does not lead the conversation, so we're left with a few interesting comments on the politics of soccer/sports and the desire for more!!! Not even a bloody goal frkrystsakes!!!