Cristian Nemescu’s untimely death was an unmistakable tragedy as California Dreamin’ is an extremely confident debut. Most impressive are the juxtapositions of historical memories of past political failures – beautifully rendered in black and white – and present day yearnings for restitution (idealizations that remain unrealized). The promise of America as imagined by Romanian villagers – by turns hopeful, opportunistic, and resentful – is presented as a bathetic rural pageant that degenerates into violent betrayal and desertion. Never a simple-minded indictment of Yankee opportunism masquerading as Democracy-Building, the film surprisingly depicts the intermingling of diplomacy and hostility as emanating from mutual exploitation. One of its most memorable visual rhymes involves a closeup of tiptoes: the first image occurs when the rebellious Monica raises herself up to share a kiss with Sgt. McLaren – an amorous investment that she hopes will propel her away from her father, Doiaru, a despotic (but complex) figure in the village. Nemescu employs the same framing again as Doiaru is killed during the villagers’ vindictive uprising: as he dies in his daughter’s arms she props herself up on her toes to bear his weight. Thus, a trajectory from idealism to disillusionment is traversed with brutal economy.
Rating: * * * *1/2
Rating: * * * *1/2
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