★ 10 / 10
Initially it takes concentration (and for me, some
Richard D
Initially it takes concentration (and for me, some repeated viewing) to understand who the lovers are and the nature of their relationship. Oh right, so Hadi…
Initially it takes concentration (and for me, some repeated viewing) to understand who the lovers are and the nature of their relationship. Oh right, so Hadi is French, Cristi is Romanian, they are multilingual, with English as their common language. What is clear is that they can't get enough of each other, kissing and nuzzling their faces into the other as they ride the apartment lift. The lengthy post coital scene is erotic, tender, turning to tension and argument and hurt. I'm not upset, says Hadi, clearly upset, and lies sulkily on his front. Christi pulls Hadi's arm from under him and holds his hand, reconnecting the flow of love and affection. The depth (and limits) of their knowledge and understanding of each other is also conveyed in Christi's silent observing of Hadi, including a lengthy scene of Christi's gaze through a half open door as Hadi prays.
Christi's sister arrives. In the know, she has come for an unwelcome viewing . Hadi (he's muslim afterall) warms to the sister and the sense of family she represents. We warm to her. Oh how nice. She KNOWS. But subtly, as the scene unwinds, her sisterly inquisitiveness appears to be more nosiness, and a final derogatory outburst portrays a disappointing narrowness and ill-will. They, the lovers, are arguing again. Hadi is upset and critical of Christi's dispensing with his sister. Right, so for this to happen they have, already, a significant relationship going on. It is very well done, this building of the portrait of the lovers.
Then Christi is at work, riding with his police officer colleagues through the city to settle the invasion of a LGBTQ film screening by Christian homophobes. Perhaps a little predictable, the scene portrays Christi's reaction and behaviour in response to threats of an outing. There is an incident, and there is more that just the threat of an outing - maybe his job is on the line. But wait. You tell me. What do the ensuing dialogues with his colleagues convey? What does the team make of a phone call Christi receives as he explains to someone unknown to them where the stuffed cabbage is in the refrigerator? And what effect will the evening's charged events have on the interaction between the lovers when Christi arrives home?
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★ 7 / 10
It's a good film.
nutzu-86980
The film was interesting, but it's short, if you saw LGBTQ+ movies before, prepare because it's different than you'd expect. Even though the film it's based on…
The film was interesting, but it's short, if you saw LGBTQ+ movies before, prepare because it's different than you'd expect. Even though the film it's based on a real story, the main character it's the typical struggling, internalized, and homophobic homosexual. His job as gendarm plays a big role in it too. The movie has an "useless" scene which I didn't understood at all (I'm referring to the dog story if you'll get to see the movie).
The continuing tension I felt while watching the movie makes me think the director did a good job and the main character too. I'm saying this as an homosexual who's still in the closet: it felt authentic and I'm hoping that this movie will open the path to more LGBTQ+ movies directed by romanians.
I'd definitely recommend to anyone to watch it.
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★ 7 / 10
Unequal movie, convincing characters
alcorcrisan
A difficult topic, the story of a gendarme leading a double life, whose secret is on the verge of being revealed. The background of a real-life incident in…
A difficult topic, the story of a gendarme leading a double life, whose secret is on the verge of being revealed. The background of a real-life incident in which a controversial movie projection was interrupted by a group opposing the subjectmatter of the movie is a pretext, and yet it gets too much time in this movie. This is what leads to an imbalance. There is too much noise, and "noise", and that makes it rather unfair for the psychological drama of the hero to unfold. Apart from that, the characters are very convincing, especially the gendarmes and, of course, the main character. What is nevertheless puzzling is the title. Why is it called "Poppy Field" in the first place?
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