12:08 East of Bucharest
Tartan | Release Date: June 6, 2007 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
77
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 16 Critic Reviews
Positive:
15
Mixed:
1
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
New York PostV.A. Musetto
Porumboiu, who also produced and wrote, elicits remarkably deadpan performances from Teo Corban (as the show's host), Ion Sapdaru (the professor) and - especially - Mircea Andreescu, as the old man. Even the subtitles cracked me up. Read full review
100
San Francisco ChronicleLeba Hertz
It's a movie that seems simple, yet its subtle and brilliant complexity is not to be denied. Read full review
100
The PlaylistKevin Jagernauth
Filled with imagery both moving and mordant... 12:08 East Of Bucharest doesn't pretend to have a position on the fallout of the Romanian Revolution. Instead it contends that different questions need to be asked and considered about post-Communist life, about the blame about the current state of the country, and where the future lies for Romania's youth. Read full review
91
The A.V. ClubNoel Murray
Porumboiu starts off making a mordant slice of life, but he gradually entwines the personal and the historical, then ends on a poignant note. The story and situation are slight, but in the best possible way. Read full review
88
TV Guide MagazineKen Fox
Wonderfully droll, Cannes Camera d'Or winner. Read full review
88
Boston GlobeTy Burr
For all its pessimism, the movie prompts a viewer to search his or her own memories for actions rather than reactions, and to mull over the differences between the two. It's a dark little ride, but at the end the lights hesitantly flicker back on. Read full review
80
Washington PostPhilip Kennicott
A remarkable film from Romania. Read full review
80
L.A. WeeklyElla Taylor
This brilliantly caustic movie -- easily the best in a burgeoning and fertile effort to come to grips with post-Soviet malaise in Central and Eastern Europe -- offers living proof that when it comes to politics, comedy is the sincerest form of dissidence. Read full review
80
Los Angeles TimesKenneth Turan
It's clear that an exceptional body of work is coming out of this country at this particular time and place. It's not necessary to categorize these films to enjoy them, it's just necessary to go. Read full review
78
Austin ChronicleToddy Burton
While 12:08 East of Bucharest could take more than one viewing to truly appreciate, it's worth the commitment. Read full review
75
Chicago TribuneMichael Phillips
Porumboiu's picture, small and pungent, lacks the resonance of "The Death of Mr. Lazarescu," Cristi Puiu's masterpiece of contemporary Romanian malaise released in the U.S. last year. But this one's less forbidding, and it has a satisfying shape and fullness. Read full review
70
VarietyDeborah Young
The buoyant little comedy 12:08 East of Bucharest puts its finger on the problem in the best tradition of East European humor, savvy but concrete, gentle but sharp as a knife. Read full review
70
The New York TimesA.O. Scott
Though it is modest, almost anecdotal, in scale, 12:08 East of Bucharest is also characterized by a precise and sneaky formal wit. Read full review
70
Village VoiceJ. Hoberman
A casually bleak and neatly structured ensemble comedy--at once deadpan and bemused. Read full review
67
Entertainment WeeklyScott Brown
12:08 East of Bucharest is a shrewdly built comedy, but the characters are broad-verging-on-cheap unholy hick fools. Read full review
50
Chicago ReaderJonathan Rosenbaum
Part of the minimalist humor growing out of this small-scale event is that they can barely remember anything, because the revolution scarcely made any difference. Read full review
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