Graduation

Name: Graduation
Genre: Drama, Crime
Released: April 7, 2017
Duration: 128 min
Rating: 84

2017

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 30 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 39 Ratings

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7.3

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7.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 39 Ratings

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Graduation

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Movie Details & Credits

Sundance Selects | Release Date: April 7, 2017 | Not Rated

Summary: Romeo Aldea (Adrian Titieni) is a seemingly honest doctor who regrets having settled in his native Romania, a country still teeming with corruption and back dealings. He channels his ambitions for a better life into his teenage daughter, Eliza (Maria Dragus), who’s just one exam away from securing a scholarship to a prestigious BritishRomeo Aldea (Adrian Titieni) is a seemingly honest doctor who regrets having settled in his native Romania, a country still teeming with corruption and back dealings. He channels his ambitions for a better life into his teenage daughter, Eliza (Maria Dragus), who’s just one exam away from securing a scholarship to a prestigious British university. But when Eliza is attacked on the eve of her test, endangering her ability to pass, Romeo takes matters into his own hands to ensure her success. [Sundance Selects]… Expand

Director: Cristian Mungiu

Genre(s): Drama, Crime

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 128 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Ann Hornaday

Apr 13, 2017

The power of the film is cumulative, as the filmmaker spins a mesmerizing morality tale from the dross of daily life. In his skillful hands, the ordinary turns out to be anything but. Read full review

100

The Guardian Peter Bradshaw

May 21, 2016

Graduation is an intricate, deeply intelligent film, and a bleak picture of a state of national depression in Romania, where the 90s generation hoped they would have a chance to start again. There are superb performances from Titien and Dragus. Read full review

Alonso Duralde

Apr 20, 2017

One of this generation’s most interesting filmmakers still has plenty to say and an impressive dexterity at saying it. Read full review

Empire David Parkinson

Mar 27, 2017

With the camera placement being as meticulous as the use of Handel on the soundtrack, this impeccably played saga deservedly earned Mungiu a share of the Best Director prize at Cannes. Read full review

Bill Goodykoontz

Apr 27, 2017

The acting is outstanding; Mungiu’s straightforward dialogue and naturalistic shooting make for a movie that feels genuine, with no false steps. Read full review

Kate Taylor

Jun 1, 2017

The plot depends on an improbably interdependent set of acquaintances and events, but the cinematography, the dialogue and the performances, especially Adrian Titieni’s as an earnest and anxious Mr. Fix-It, are impressively naturalistic. Read full review

Steve Davis

Apr 26, 2017

Graduation may not occupy a place at the top of the class of contemporary Eastern European cinema like some of Mungiu’s other films, but it definitely sits above the curve. Read full review

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User Reviews

Shakib_Sheikhi

Sep 18, 2017

I just can't believe how Mungiu can address both ethical and legal aspect of society alive and do not give into watery melodramatics. his long-takes are of high mastery as always and like every other of his films the transportation from one place to the other is phenomenal. Best movie ofI just can't believe how Mungiu can address both ethical and legal aspect of society alive and do not give into watery melodramatics. his long-takes are of high mastery as always and like every other of his films the transportation from one place to the other is phenomenal. Best movie of 2016 along with Tonni Erdmaan… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Mahmus

Aug 22, 2019

The majority of the movie is shot in unbroken long takes where the camera doesn't really move. It watches it's characters closely in all their flaws and glory.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

netflic

Apr 24, 2017

This Romanian movie is set in modern post-Chaushesku's Romania.
It is a drama about many things but more than anything it is about choices that parents make for their children. Parents have more life experience that their children. But does that necessarily mean their long-term decisions forThis Romanian movie is set in modern post-Chaushesku's Romania.
It is a drama about many things but more than anything it is about choices that parents make for their children. Parents have more life experience that their children. But does that necessarily mean their long-term decisions for their grown-up kids are correct?

This movie is as different from Hollywood production as possible. People speak soft, even in dramatic situations. Their emotions are subdued, and that makes it even more real.

Excellent performances and casting. The film looks very authentic and truthful.

In short, it is one of the best foreign movies I've seen this year.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

LeZee

May 16, 2017

A father's desperate attempt for his daughter.

From the director of 'Beyond the Hills'. I have not seen many Romanian films, but a couple of his films, so I had an anticipation and it fulfilled that. If you are familiar with his works, you will love it too as well. It is an Oscar materialA father's desperate attempt for his daughter.

From the director of 'Beyond the Hills'. I have not seen many Romanian films, but a couple of his films, so I had an anticipation and it fulfilled that. If you are familiar with his works, you will love it too as well. It is an Oscar material like 'Toni Erdmann', but Romania had sent a different film. The film had achieved multiple things, including majorly highlighting the social issues and the education system, particularly from the parent's perspective. But it is basically about a father and his desperate attempts for his daughter for her better future. So it is something like 'Fathers & Daughter', but on one particular topic and the on- screen presentation was so realistic without the background score.

Everything revolved around what the title suggested. A father who is professionally a doctor wants to provide a better education for his daughter. While facing a series of vandalism, his family gets a major shock after an unexpected terrible event. It was just before the daughter's annual exam. So it seems they're all disturbed by it, but the father is still not giving up on his daughter's exam, which requires a better score to get into the best university in the world. Apart from that, his other side of the personal and professional life takes some major turns. The film reveals all his struggles while breaking some moral laws.

❝Sometimes, in life, it's the result that counts.❞

The tale was told from the father's perspective and that character was seen almost in every frame. A good father knows what's best for his child, but sometimes crossing limits is what they do because of love and care. On the other hand, growing up kids, especially turning eighteen means that's when they actually begin to meet the real world. So basically they want to lose their parents' influence in their life as much as possible like when a baby bird starting to stretch its wings. Those stuffs were not prioritised here, but understandable from the developments we witness.

From the social aspect, the corruption and educational demands, that's especially in the high scoring contest were the deriving plots from the main. The film could have been 10-15 minutes shorter if the father's professional side of the tale was not covered. It looked unnecessary, but fairly the part of the story when a slice of his life was what this film is about. I think not everybody sees the film's intention which is definitely not entertainment, nor inspiration, but kind of fact based on the parents.

Yeah, I would have done almost the same as what the father has done in this. But due to some parallel developments in the main story, he had to face extra pressure from his own family. So unexpected way the narration takes the turn towards the final section. That's disappointing if you had supported the father from the very beginning. But a lesson he had learnt for his approach to deal the affair that he thought is slipping away from his master plan.

Overall, a very good film, something you will learn how some people plan to deal a difficult stage of their life that's impacted by other surrounding developments. My only, slight disappointment was the crime part of the story which did not meet my expectation, but in most of the case that's how reality would be. So this is for particularly the drama film fans, because coping with the pace requires a little patience.

7/10… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

DawdlingPoet

Nov 27, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is a relatively slow (plot wise) film and it felt frustating in terms of waiting to see what the future for the young girl would turn out to be. There are undoubtedly numerous unanswered questions but it does raise some valid points and, more than anything else, its about the parents role in adolescents - doing what is right for them above all else. There are some red herrings I suppose but it was an interesting and somewhat thought provoking watch, its just a bit slow paced and a little lacking in overall substance perhaps.

This is not a bad film but it isn't great either - I thought its an ok, thoughtful film. Depending on your taste in film, you may or may not enjoy this, frankly. Its worth considering watching though.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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