Marita

A Romanian drama; A story about two men, a divorced father and his son, who are running away from their own partner issues for a day, travelling cross-country for a festive family reunion in an unreliable car that requires a lot of care and attention. Part character study, part road movie, the titular car is symbolic of problems that eventually reach acceptance. It has a theme about adultery in the context of a father-son relationship and its acceptance by the once-broken family. The humorous moments, thanks to a brilliant performance by Adrian Titieni, make it very watchable, made all the more funnier by the reactions from the characters around him. The conversations are organic, realistic, and a perfectly timed stream of consciousness, unfolding naturally. Some scenes that go beyond convention for their length are intended for reflection, but none outstay their welcome. All in all, a complex family portrait, nicely photographed in wintry Romania and Moldova.