64
Metascore
8 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 80SalonAndrew O'HehirSalonAndrew O'HehirOffers an introduction to the lean-and-mean, social-realist Romanian storytelling style that's built around a charismatic young actor and a familiar genre.
- 75New York PostV.A. MusettoNew York PostV.A. MusettoWhistle is the feature debut of director-writer Florin Serban, who studied at Columbia University and lists among his influences Robert Bresson, Pedro Almodovar, Bruno Dumont and Ken Loach.
- 70Village VoiceJ. HobermanVillage VoiceJ. HobermanIt's a measure of the movie's success that one oscillates between two despairs-noting the abject failure of the system and the utter futility of revolt.
- 60Time OutKeith UhlichTime OutKeith UhlichDespite the faux-realist aesthetic (gritty handheld camerawork; all-natural sound), we never feel like much is at stake, though Pistereanu and Condeescu have an easygoing rapport that makes the quieter moments between them affecting.
- 60The New York TimesA.O. ScottThe New York TimesA.O. ScottAs the movie becomes more explosive - and more demanding of its cast - it loses some of the quiet, careful intensity that made Silviu's situation worth attending to in the first place. The seams of the narrative start to show, and by the end you are more aware of the filmmakers' ideas than of the character's life.
- 40New York Daily NewsJoe NeumaierNew York Daily NewsJoe NeumaierA steady thrum of anger pervades this Romanian film even in its quietest moments, but the ending and captured-lost-boys setting ultimately fail to surprise.