The Treasure (2015) User Reviews

Some aspects are OK, but all in all found wanting

[radulucian · 6/10 · 20 March 2016]

Just saw this on HBO. Not feeling like either wanting my money back or wanting my time back. The movie was OK. OK in the exact sense depicted in the plot. Nothing less, but nothing more.

I am trying to watch all Romanian movies, and the good news is the level of acting is improving dramatically (pseudo-pun intended) and this movie excels in that area.

All the cast is performing well, the lines are good and appropriate for the moment, I would have preferred to not be able to guess each and every line that was about to be said, but that means that it was all natural and just right. Not often you see a movie were the next action and the next line simply makes sense. Nothing unexpected, but it has a magic of its own like that. In most movies you anticipate what you would have said (the logical line) or what you would have done in a certain context, and it never happens like that, and you think "man, this was stupid". Not in this movie. Here everything makes sense and is exactly as expected.

Why a 6 then? For the exact reason above. No surprises. And because it's classified as comedy, and I don't even recall the slightest smile on my face for the whole duration of the film. The only surprise in the movie was there was no surprise whatsoever. The ending has a small twist, but far-far from what could've compensated for the rest.

A movie that's worth seeing, but only for the experience, not for its intrinsic value.

Life is Life

[ferguson-6 · 7/10 · 8 January 2016]

Greetings again from the darkness. Cinematic comedies always face a challenge of the wide variances found in the senses of humor of movie goers. Taking a wry comedy approach narrows the market a bit more, and finally, tying in cultural and historical aspects specific to Romania risks leaving an audience of only the staunchest film festival attendees. Writer/director Corneliu Porumboui (12:08 East of Bucharest) sticks to his creative vision, never once catering to the masses.

Costi (Toma Cuzin) is reading "Robin Hood" to his young son when a knock on the door leads to a conversation with his neighbor Adrian (Adrian Purcanescu). In most movies, theirs would be described as an awkward conversation, but in this world, awkward is normal, so the description doesn't really fit. However, the Robin Hood story acts a structure to the film, and especially to the actions and thought process of Costi, who fancies himself as a real life Robin Hood, even if it's possibly only to impress his bullied-at-school son.

Adrian's pitch to Costi is meant to raise the 800 Euros necessary to hire a professional metal detector in hopes of finding the treasure buried by Adrian's great-grandfather during WWII. The stage is set for what looks to be the proverbial wild goose chase of an urban legend, but this partnership results in the introduction of Corneliu Cozmei, a real life metal detector professional. The conversation between these three during the dig is at times harsh and lacking any pleasantries … sometimes laden with accusations … and often tying in Romanian history from revolutions to wars and Communist control. It's here you're your particular sense of humor will either be rewarded or not. Viewers are treated to the somehow entertaining extended sequence of 3 men digging a hole whilst lighted by car headlights and accompanied by the beeping of the (flawed?) metal detector.

The wry, deadpan comedy is often as uncomfortable as it is funny, and much of the negativity is directed at the bureaucracy of modern day Romania (and human nature in general), including the ridiculous "cultural heritage" fees of any found treasure. This leads to an offbeat scene at the local police station – again, either wry or boring, depending on you. If the viewers have trouble connecting with the characters or the dialogue, perhaps the closing song "Life is Life" (in a guttural performance from Lailbach) will prove to be the best explanation of what was just seen. Most of us can't name another Romanian comedy … and depending on taste, some will question whether this one qualifies, while others will be googling for more.

Not your typical treasure hunt film!

[Reno-Rangan · 8/10 · 4 December 2017]

Who doesn't like treasure hunt films. They are always exciting with surprises. See this film poster, and the title is just perfect. That's what I expected, like if not another 'Indiana Jones', then 'National Treasure'. I was disappointed with that perspective. But realised it was unique with the most realistic approach. I've seen plenty of same themed films, but this one stood out to be one of the rare kind. This film is not fun as the others, but surely makes sense of what real treasure hunt means. Though the film did not take the complicated route to narrate the tale. Just a simple, small film.

A man from a little middle-class family living in an apartment is approached by his neighbour guy who financially broke. All he wanted was some cash, so that he could go and look for treasure that his dying grandfather told him about. Now these two join hands for the unusual quest. They had to make all the pre-arrangement before jumping into it. Like hiring a metal detector and making it a weekend event for not clashing with their routines. So finally the most expected venture begins and how it all turns out are told with some fun filled tense climax.

This is a very slow film. Particularly those treasure hunt sequences became even slower than what one would expect out of it. Probably a film for matured audience. It is considered as a black comedy and yes, that's how everything unfolded. Though not all black comedies are same. I mean not everybody understands clearly why it is called that.

In my instance, I expected something else, but got another thing. In the end, I really enjoyed it. The initial story was unbelievable. I mean, if somebody approached me with a theory like that, not just me, most of the people won't easily want to be a part of it. Not because it is illegal, but does not make sense or gives enough reason to take part. It has to be convinced thoroughly.

❝We've all got problems. You've got problems. I've got problems. A man makes his own problems. They don't descend from heaven.❞

The little Robin Hood story at the opening was relevant to how the film has ended. That character called Costi was an ideal man for a typical world. His belief to be a good person in the society, definitely gives the right message. But I did not think he would go for such a quest. That's the first twist. Then following that, seeing his desperate to succeed, more than the man who took him in, it kind of made fun, like of course black comedy. Especially during the hunt, the verbal fight between two out of three set a perfect tone for the rest of the tale.

Definitely not a predictable storyline. That's what kept my eyes open, despite frequent drops in the pace of the narration. I liked the dialogues, especially about the some of the technical terms. Like about metal detector, and the brief history about the Romanian communist era, including the Dos and Don'ts, what the law says about the treasures that has found. It was not like you take all the needed tools and the adventure begins. It excellently highlighted that the treasure hunt is not like one you have seen in the films.

Finally, regarding the treasure, it comes in many forms. How this film sorted out that part was really cool. That's indeed a well written screenplay. It's not impossible to see such a film in Hollywood, but they won't make money, that's the difference. That is the reason why small film industries around the world shines with such little gems. This is the reason I want to explore the world cinema.

When it comes to the development, in some of the parts, the film was not that logical. That's how it has to go, so it became what it is. As I said the end was really cool. I meant the post quest end. It had ended bringing a little smile on my face. Nice performances. The writer, director is the first to be appreciated. I haven't seen many Romanian films, but from those I've seen never disappointed, and so this one, a very satisfying film. My little advise is for those who wants to see it is expect it to be a drama than an action-adventure- thriller. Patience is another thing it required. Probably you would like it after watched it than while watching. But overall a worthy film.

7.5/10

Understated and playfully poignant story of value and its many faces, artfully blocked scenes

[kas-03708 · 9/10 · 30 January 2016]

Excellent film and a great script, relevant and fresh. The simplicity of it someone had called-out is its very strength, and if it carries some scenes in real time a la Béla Tarr, it is part suspense mechanism for the audience fantasies to play out, as well as to open up space for the viewer to contemplate their own values being addressed.

In it's sparing dialogue (suited to the social air density being portrayed), and not unlike a Roy Anderson film, each point of conversation is another clue or symbol threaded into the moral tableau performed over the course of the film. It deals with profound issues with understated situational comedy, leaving all conclusions up to the viewer. The acting deserves another notable mention, naturalistic and effortlessly comedic.

We've seen it as a group German, Swiss, American and were all delighted with the ending neither one of us guessed! Keen for the next film from this director.

unassuming but quietly radical

[chrisfortescue · 10/10 · 25 October 2015]

this movie is full of surprises, existing as it does in the shadow of conventional Hollywood story telling. it's premised on the deal made between two neighbours to investigate a rumoured buried treasure, and as the film progresses there are many opportunities for others to get involved and claim a slice, if not all, of the loot for themselves. if in fact there is any treasure. we've seen enough heist movies and buried treasure movies to know what money does to people, how they treat one another; double crossings, murder, corrupt cops etc. all of the tropes you can expect from this kind of narrative exist here as possibilities, and as such determine the expectations of a viewer. but the film operates in a kind of flat negative space produced by these expectations, and delivers a series of perverse thrills by its avoidance of conventional narrative arcs and possibilities. it's a refreshing, low-key undermining of Hollywood screen writing hegemony. . .

Remarkably bland for a movie about treasure.

[Rendanlovell · 5/10 · 25 July 2016]

'The Treasure' is a bit of an odd duck. The film is about a man that is approached by his neighbor to help him dig up some theoretical treasure in his town yard. But things aren't so simple. Both of these men are rather poor and can barely afford to pay for a metal detector. This is one of those films that is a very unique experience. While it's certainly something that I haven't seen before, it's unfortunately one that I don't think I will ever revisit. The main reason for this is because the films plot is extraordinarily thin. The brief plot summary I mentioned at the beginning is really the only thing that this is about. They want to find treasure than they go digging.

Oddly enough this lack of substance seemed almost intentional. The whole point of the movie was to be as natural as possible. I will say that the characters and performances do dish out some very dry humor this way though. In fact the humor is so dry it can be easily missed. Especially when there isn't all that much of it.

Although my main gripe with this film is in it's story, it can still be oddly enchanting. I think this has a direct correlation with humans love of money. Or, I mean, treasure. I think anyone can relate to the desire to find loot. So when we see a guy rooming around with a metal detector for over fifteen minutes of screen time it's not as bland as it could have been. ​ But, it's still pretty bland. I mean there's only so much of this nothing that one can reasonably take. I enjoy watching movies that replicate life itself but this one isn't that kind of movie. It's so paper thin, in fact, that watching it felt more like reading an essay. Character 1 goes into house while character 2 sits with character 3. Character 2 and 3 get into argument. Character 1 intervenes. And so on.

While I obviously understand the dryness that the movie is going for, it's just oh so dry. Again, there is literally fifteen minutes of this film that involves these three characters pacing around a yard. Doing nothing but metal detecting. After that we get about twenty more minutes of nothing but digging.

A few of the people argue between this but other than that, there is nothing to this. The characters are half decent and can provide some stimulation yet, they aren't good enough to make you really think about anything. The only really great part of this movie is in the visuals. It may not have many dynamic shots but they are all well composed and utilize long takes to highlight the simple feel of the film.

I certainly appreciate the purpose behind many of the decisions made, I just can't get past this movies lack of substance. It's so bland and dry that even when it's trying to simulate life itself, it's hard to relate too. I found myself more interested in the palms of hands than what I was seeing on screen. Great visuals and decent direction can only go so far, so by the thirty minute mark I was totally checked out.

An unusual comedy with sly smiles about humanity's foolishness.

[JohnDeSando · 27 February 2016]

"A man makes his own problems; they don't descend from heaven." Cornel (Corneliu Cozmei)

The two heroes of the strange but lovable Romanian comedy, The Treasure, do create their problems, mainly digging for treasure in a backyard with the help of Cornel and his metal detector. Although the two hapless diggers are in serious need of cash flow, there is something mock heroic in their haphazard plans that are bound to go wrong from the get go. Not even to say the possibility of Cornel blackmailing them for breaking Romanian found-treasure laws.

Chaucer's Pardoner's Tale tells of the dire consequences when men try to find easy gold, and Treasure of Sierra Madre has a similarly fateful trajectory. Beckett's Waiting for Godot also comes to mind as the search has a simplicity, frustration, and sure-to fail feel to it. However, The Treasure has a lighter tone, not hilarious by any means, but aiming to take this goofy quest and make it a modern morality tale with Keystone-Cops flavor.

The "takes" are long and slow with an emphasis on establishing, diminishing, and revealing character through conversation in an everyday mode that veritably shouts out the inevitable upending. The pace is leisurely if not downright slow—you know you're almost in real time as you watch them slowly dig for the treasure. The occasional long shots seem to emphasize the long-shot stupidity of the enterprise.

It's the ending that will wake you from your torpor to wide-eyed wonder. Enough said.

Slow paced but Rewarding

[Andy-296 · 9/10 · 28 March 2016]

This Romanian movie has a plot that might sounds ridiculous at first sight, but with time becomes more and more engaging. The movie starts with one of the two protagonists, Costi (Toma Cuzin) telling his young child the story of Robin Hood. Suddenly, there is a knock in the door. It's his neighbor, Adrian (the other protagonist of the movie, played by Adrian Purcarescu). He tells Costi he is risking losing his apartment as he is late on his mortgage payments, so could he please lend him 800 Euros. Costi tells Adrian he sympathizes with him, but can't lend him anything as he is under heavy money problems himself. Eventually, after a long talk, Adrian tells Costi what he needs the 800 Euros for: he wants to hire a metal detector operator so as to see if in the garden of an old property of his family there might be a treasure buried by his grandfather when the communists took over Romania. At least that is what the family legend says, but no one is really sure there is really a treasure buried in his property. After some hesitation, Costi agrees to help Adrian on that search in exchange of a half of the prize.

So the rest of the movie is basically Costi and Adrian pursuing this treasure, with the help at times of an old, slightly corrupt metal detector operator (played by a real professional in that job). This being a Romanian movie, the film is slow, deadpan, and deals quite a lot in bureaucratic detail (Romanian law states that any treasure holding historical value should go to the state, and the discoverers should only get a 30% of it, and Costi and Adrian try during the movie several times to see how to get around that law). Considering Romanian movies have some reputation for dourness, I thought this was going to end in tears, but it happily has (without obviously revealing too much about it) a very satisfying ending.

Are You Kidding Me?

[argyleheights · 2/10 · 29 October 2017]

About an hour into this movie I began to wonder whether the ecstatic reviews for this flick were just an inside joke by sarcastic critics. Seriously? Watching paint dry would be slightly less rewarding than sitting through this. Sort of reminded me of a Seinfeld episode about nothing but with one important difference: it is devoid of any humor whatsoever. I don't know about you, but sitting through a purported "comedy" which does not elicit even a single chuckle seems to me a serious mislabeling of the product. On the plus side, it was less than two hours.

Perplexing Movie

[GManfred · 21 January 2016]

Hard to tell what to make of "The Treasure". It was worthwhile and it was mildly entertaining. It was about just what the synopsis describes; two guys hire another guy who owns a metal detector to try to find 'treasure' they think is on the grounds of the estate of the great-grandfather of one of them. Turns out it was deeper than they thought, which adds digging time and running time to the picture.

Eventually, they find it, but it's not treasure in the normal sense; it is a box of old stock certificates for Mercedes-Benz, which are now worth a fortune. There is a sweet moment at the end, as one of the men has a young son who was excited by the thought of treasure. Instead of showing him a stack of paper stocks, he cashes his half and buys some jewelry to fill the box, and gives it to the boy, who is overwhelmed at the sight. Of course, the jewelry is worth only a fraction of what the man has grossed for the stocks.

Well, there you have it. I would say it's interesting, although not really a comedy, as it is billed. If it is, I would say the Romanian sense of humor is extremely subtle. Maybe a human interest story, as it holds the interest and is mercifully short at 89 minutes. There are no emotional highs or lows and no tension or suspense; for lack of a better term, it is a very calm picture. The cast were all very competent, no complaint there. It could have a little added excitement of some sort, but if you are thinking of seeing it you could do a lot worse nowadays. Speaking for myself, I liked it because it was simple and straightforward and held my interest. If you go, stay for the credits and you can hear one of the strangest songs ever, by one of the strangest voices; it's called "Life Is Life". Very peculiar.

Masterpiece.

[AhmedMw2 · 9/10 · 16 January 2019]

Unexpected ending makes movie from simple movie to masterpiece .

From shallow to deep so fast .

When u watch it for the second time u will discover more and more . What to be a father . How you look in your son eyes .

This was suposed to be a comedy

[inesfa · 3/10 · 27 December 2017]

A man asks his neighbour to go and look for a treasure that his grand father would have hidden. They look for it. Thats basically the argument of the film, no more. And I won't be the one critizising a film just for being simple, there are many great simple films... but not this one. It was just not interesting. It was boring. And it was suposed to be a comedy (somehow), but I couldn't find any trace of comedy... I really wanted to like it, and I really thought I would, but nope.

Loved it

[qhpqcnn · 10/10 · 17 July 2023]

As a Romanian, I can say this is the best I saw so far. I love it. Thank you. Recommend it. I love how Costi plays Robin Hood. How he invents a relationship because it's the truth is not believable. I love the story reading with the child. I love the argument as not to complain about the kid's teacher..."poate nu il mai scoate la tabla" . I love the kindness and the "do not fight" lesson. I love how there's not a drama, just a normal life rhythm. I love how he wants to be Robin Hood for the kids. Congratulations for the first Romanian movie I truly like. I like the normality and the quiet life portrayed, so accurate.

Hulu owes me 1 hr 29 min

[CaptRon-2 · 2/10 · 13 July 2018]

I could write a long review but suffice it to say, don't watch this movie, it's not worth your time. The most exciting scene is when they are driving at night and the Garmin is updating their position...at least the map was moving as the movie stalled a long time ago.

I want my time back

[soul_killer2003 · 4/10 · 10 August 2015]

I watched this movie during the TIFF festival in Timisoara and I wanted my money back, but since the entrance was free, I want my time back.

The plot could have been easily narrated in a 5 or 10 minute short. It contained many scenes that were stretched for no reason or dialogue that was totally irrelevant to the main theme. Almost all actors (especially the ones in supporting roles) were lacking acting skills. There isn't any climax/peak, but only an enumeration of events that naturally derive from one to another like a very slow flowing river. No action, no suspense and definitely NO comedy. Maybe the only good parts that made sit down and watch it until the end was the general Romanian feeling this movie had (with traditions, idioms which cannot really be translated and so on) and the hope that some turn of events will make this movie great or at least interesting, but sadly it didn't.

I can't believe this movie got two awards and two nominations, since it was one of the most boring movies I ever saw.

Not interesting at all

[mariuspetroiu · 1/10 · 17 October 2016]

If you decide to invest two hours of your life, thinking that you have hit the jackpot, and you will see a great movie, with a taste of Eastern European within, you will be more than disappointed. There is no credible or smart script. As a result, the actors are simply not playing well, as they do not seem to enter under the skin of any of the characters described by such script. In addition, the directing is just wrong, as you cannot expect your viewers to accept a script completely empty of ideas, and a poor performance, as a good basis for your film. However, if you want to see a text-book movie with poor script, acting and/or directing, that's the one for you.

Not a comedy, not dynamic, just slow....

[HeathCliff-2 · 5/10 · 11 January 2016]

I spent $7 to rent this on Amazon, based on flamboyant critical praise. The trailer looked promising, like a deadpan comedy. But it wasn't anything like I expected. It couldn't have been slower, duller, plodding. I appreciate the low-key naturalistic style that is European cinema, but in this case, it wasn't shedding much light on any internal journey. And being halted as a comedy? I often marvel when reviewers claim something is a comedy. Why? Because there may be slight nuances of humannature's foibles? There was not a moment that I was amused in a heightened comedicway. The basic plot line - that a neighbor enlists another neighborwith a possible buried treasure - takes near 90 minutes for negligible plot development. I like slow, non-Hollywood movies, but this was really SLOW. And reviewers hailed the transformative payoff in the last two minutes. But for me it was too little, too late. Not recommended. Just plodding.

If this is what passes for comedy in Romania

[milcron-1 · 3/10 · 20 April 2020]

It's no wonder why they are so dour. Cute ending doesn't make up for the dreary 1:30 it takes to get there. They must have provided free drugs at Cannes.

Rather a superficial film.

[donreplies · 5/10 · 5 September 2018]

Corneliu Porumboiu's fifth feature could well be his worst too. He just follows the usual modern arthouse genre and show a story that is for mainstream audience. The script and making are way too shallow.

Subdued Winner or Overrated Loser?

[ASuiGeneris · 5/10 · 15 September 2018]

The Treasure (Romanian: Comoara) (2015) Director: Corneliu Porumboiu Watched: 9/12/18 Rating: 4/10

Fine performances, Non-Hollywood treasure hunt, Sweet dad-son ending; How metal detectors work, Romanian history.

Comedy sans laughs, Distant characters/weak plot; Real life Robin Hood? Might work if ending cogent! Dullest treasure hunt ever.

#Somonka #PoemReview #Neighbors #Romanian #TreasureHunt