I can understand reviewers from Romania who seem to be quite proud for this movie, because something similar has happened in Greece during the last years (very similar example: "Politiki Kouzina"). When you are used to very low standards of film-making and suddenly a movie is up to western standards in terms of direction, photography and production, you tend to overemphasize on the technical quality and diminish the importance of the plot, the characters' depth and the acting. And here, I'm afraid, lie Filantropica weak points. This is by no means a social satire. It is too shallow for that. The protagonist (although brilliantly played by Mircea Diaconu) is just a comic figure and we cannot feel empathy for his situation. The main gimmicks are too unrealistic to be believed and the comic value is quickly worn out.
Nevertheless, Filantropica is an enjoyable Romanian offering and you won't regret having seen it. Just don't expect something of a 8.7 caliber.
Nevertheless, Filantropica is an enjoyable Romanian offering and you won't regret having seen it. Just don't expect something of a 8.7 caliber.