If I Want to Whistle, I Whistle
Film Movement | Release Date: January 5, 2011 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
64
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 8 Critic Reviews
Positive:
4
Mixed:
4
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
80
SalonAndrew O'HehirJan 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
75
IndieWireEric KohnJan 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
75
New York PostV.A. MusettoJan 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
70
Village VoiceJ. HobermanJan 4, 2011
It'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. Read full review
60
Boxoffice MagazineEd SchiedJan 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
60
The New York TimesA.O. ScottJan 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
60
Time OutKeith UhlichJan 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
40
New York Daily NewsJoe NeumaierJan 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
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