Cealalta Irina (2009) User Reviews

Surprisingly Unique

[annjanbay · 7/10 · 24 April 2011]

The Other Irene is a slow movie but doesn't bore you on the contrary it keeps you wanting more.

It touches all aspects of reality that we might pretend not to notice in our every day lives.

The acting of Andy Vasluianu was extremely touching with a hint of braveness.

You cannot not feel with him, he plays the role in a way that keeps you wondering how will he end it.

Loved it by all means it's a real piece of art that will definitely touch you in a way or another.

If you are into foreign festival movies then you shouldn't miss it. It's definitely worth the time.

Mystery and tragedy in one great film!

[adamsoch-1 · 10/10 · 4 June 2010]

When the camera pulls back at the end of this well crafted drama, I had a lot of questions and all remained unanswered. Very, very un-Hollywood. There was nothing to feel good about, in this film but I guaranty that your emotions will be stirred to the max. I will not go into the story because I encourage you to get hold of this gem of a film and watch it. I was lucky to see it at SEE Fest 2010 in Los Angeles in May. The central character is Aurel, played impeccably by Andy Vasluianu, a young and prolific TV and Film actor since the year 2000. Almost emotionless, tacit, gentle, sincere and painfully understanding. Mr. Vasluianu carries this dark drama eloquently till the last frame. He also played Aurel in "The Paper Will Be Blue" another great Romanian film by Radu Muntean. The story is set in post communist Romania, where at every step, you can see bureaucrats on parade; indifferent and sloppy. Metaphorically speaking, it is written on their forehead: "I am just doing my job" or "Do not ask for compassion". First time director, Andrei Gruzsniczki is part of the new generation of filmmakers who have "a lot" to say about contemporary life in Romania. Young, talented and promising, Mr. Gruzsniczki treats every scene with dignity and creates a matter-of-fact atmosphere that you almost forget, you are in a move theater watching a film.

Lukewarm, Alienating Movie Which Ultimately Leaves One Wondering Why They Bothered Making It?

[supadude2004 · 3/10 · 1 April 2011]

The Other Irene is a movie which lacks a driving premise and engages little. Here is a movie which presents more questions than answers - if any! Although loosely based on a true story, there is too much looseness and far too little elucidation of story here. Ultimately whatever is left of a "story" lacks fluidity & engagement - leaving the viewer caring little about any of the characters presented in it. If there is a story here, it crawls lackadaisically along upon a carpet of banality, which simply runs out when the credits roll. When the production credits roll, in other words, you are left thinking "huh!? So... what happened next then!? Why this? Why that!?" All the movie's loose ends and unresolved questions become deeply unsatisfying to the viewer, if, that is to say, the viewer is even engaged enough to be left wondering why etc?

Consider a story being told by an unimaginative professional third party to the events which unfolded, and then you will start to envision the problems this reviewer had with its screenplay.

This is quite definitely *not* a movie for persons who like their movies resolved and explained by their conclusions. For little is explained at all by the time the credits roll - which was ultimately quite irritating. It's as if the film was made *before* all the facts became apparent, and left at that. A mystery of sorts is thus loosely crafted - only to be treated as if what happened was all quite ordinary - "move along now please, there's nothing for you to see!" sums up the impression I had of this lacklustre movie, at its end. Most disappointing! Albeit, its production and direction were first rate: for that much, Gruzsniczki, its director must at least be commended. Nonetheless, the movie's screenplay was as pedestrian as it was disengaging, so I sincerely hope Gruzsniczki, from now on sticks solely to directing, and leaves the screenplay to another in his future movies. Sorry, but this is a 3/10... on a good day.

Sooo dull!

[ragnarok-737-539143 · 2/10 · 2 April 2018]

Remember Taken with Liam Neeson going on a killing spree, remember how entertaining that movie was? Well this movie is exactly the opposite of that! Actually this one ends where it should have started. It's like the director does it on purpose: "nope, no entertainment for you... you get realism because realism is cool". News flash: IT ISN'T! We really wanna see that boring guy stuck in all that bureaucratic mess or we wanna see him chasing the bad guys and making a blood bath in Cairo? We really wanna see a weak and lost (and of course realistic) Aurel or we wanna see a tough and determined Aurel? I rated 2 and not 1 because, believe it or not, there are actually worse movies than this one.