This highly praised and critically acclaimed film has recently received yet another award and I still wonder why. I have seen comments claiming this is
an indictment of the Ceacescu regime but the only real difference between the setting and that of an industrial city in Western Europe is the limited
street lighting and the only other difference of note is that graduates are
directed to their first employment which, with the state paying for their
education, does not seem that unreasonable (cf. soldiers in the UK having a
university eduction in return for a given number of years in the Army). The
acting of the main female lead is first-rate even if her relationship with the
girl needing, and getting, the abortion is not as clear as it might be and she
is well supported by the rest of the cast. There are some fine camera shots
especially during the night scenes but the overall impression I had was of a
well-made film of no great significance about an incident of importance to
those involved but no more - the Dardenne brothers produce films that are
as well made, if not better, and every bit as miserable!