If I Want to Whistle, I Whistle

Name: If I Want to Whistle, I Whistle
Genre: Drama
Released: January 5, 2011
Duration: 94 min
Rating: 64

2011

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 8 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 5 Ratings

See All

5.8

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

5.8	Your Score
5.8	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 5 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Movie Details & Credits

Film Movement | Release Date: January 5, 2011

Summary: Silviu has only two weeks left before his release from a hostile juvenile detention center. But when his mother, who abandoned him long ago, returns to take his younger brother away - a brother Silviu raised like a son – those two weeks become an eternity. While his outcries for help fall on deaf ears, he finds himself mercilessly tauntedSilviu has only two weeks left before his release from a hostile juvenile detention center. But when his mother, who abandoned him long ago, returns to take his younger brother away - a brother Silviu raised like a son – those two weeks become an eternity. While his outcries for help fall on deaf ears, he finds himself mercilessly taunted and harassed by the other inmates. And just as Silviu's frustration evolves into full-throttled aggression, he is introduced to a beautiful social worker that he can only dream of being close to. Faced with a slew of conflicting emotions and wild with desperation, Silviu is driven to a surprising act of defiance as he makes a last grasp for freedom. (Film Movement)

… Expand

Director: Florin Serban

Genre(s): Drama

Runtime: 94 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Andrew O'Hehir

Jan 10, 2011

Offers an introduction to the lean-and-mean, social-realist Romanian storytelling style that's built around a charismatic young actor and a familiar genre. Read full review

V.A. Musetto

Jan 5, 2011

Whistle 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. Read full review

IndieWire Eric Kohn

Jan 8, 2011

Set in a barren juvenile detention center, the movie works as a grueling coming-of-age story, linking it to the likes of "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days," even if it lacks the same lasting appeal. Read full review

Keith Uhlich

Jan 4, 2011

Despite 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. Read full review

Boxoffice Magazine Ed Schied

Jan 10, 2011

The accessible story and fast-paced action scenes could draw a good arthouse audience, more than usual for a Romanian film. Read full review

A.O. Scott

Jan 5, 2011

As 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. Read full review

Joe Neumaier

Jan 7, 2011

A 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. Read full review

SEE ALL 8 REVIEWS

Write a Review

Negative:

User Reviews

hamidgoodarzi

Mar 20, 2023

An attractive film from Romanian cinema directed by "Florin Serban" which will definitely always be remembered. This movie is in the "prison drama" sub-genre, where many movies have been made in this sub-genre, and this movie is undoubtedly one of the best of them. I am eager to see all theAn attractive film from Romanian cinema directed by "Florin Serban" which will definitely always be remembered. This movie is in the "prison drama" sub-genre, where many movies have been made in this sub-genre, and this movie is undoubtedly one of the best of them. I am eager to see all the other films of this director. One of the good things about the movie is the lack of soundtrack, which definitely reduces the heat and intensity of the movie scenes. Great acting and the use of convicts in their role is very interesting. A drama that seems to arrange everything in peace, but suddenly all the peace turns into a strange violence.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 1 REVIEWS