Advanced Search Beta »
Basic Search Fields
12:08 East of Bucharest
  • Studio: Tartan
  • Release Date: Jun 6, 2007
Metascore
77 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
view
per page
  1. New York Post
    Reviewed by: V.A. Musetto
    100
    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.
  2. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Leba Hertz
    100
    It's a movie that seems simple, yet its subtle and brilliant complexity is not to be denied.
  3. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Noel Murray
    91
    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.
  4. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Ken Fox
    88
    Wonderfully droll, Cannes Camera d'Or winner.
  5. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Ty Burr
    88
    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.
  6. L.A. Weekly
    Reviewed by: Ella Taylor
    80
    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.
  7. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Kenneth Turan
    80
    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.
  8. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Philip Kennicott
    80
    A remarkable film from Romania.
  9. Austin Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Toddy Burton
    78
    While 12:08 East of Bucharest could take more than one viewing to truly appreciate, it's worth the commitment.
  10. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Michael Phillips
    75
    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.
  11. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: J. Hoberman
    70
    A casually bleak and neatly structured ensemble comedy--at once deadpan and bemused.
  12. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: A.O. Scott
    70
    Though it is modest, almost anecdotal, in scale, 12:08 East of Bucharest is also characterized by a precise and sneaky formal wit.
  13. Variety
    Reviewed by: Deborah Young
    70
    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.
  14. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Scott Brown
    67
    12:08 East of Bucharest is a shrewdly built comedy, but the characters are broad-verging-on-cheap unholy hick fools.
  15. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Jonathan Rosenbaum
    50
    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.
prev next
Page:
  • 1

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.6 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 5 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. GrigO
    9
    Great movie! u should learn romanian to understand all the hidden humours :D we have a word for the show's host's attitude: sictir :)
See all user reviews »