Orient Express

You know, Sergiu Nicloaescu...he's a man most people living in Romania have heard of. As a matter of fact, when I participated at a certain seminar and people were asked to name a Romanian film director, his name popped up on most of the lists. I hadn't seen any of his films and simply had to be intrigued by such a seemingly mesmerizing person.

I suppose you all know the saying "Don't judge a book by its cover". It hardly applies, but you catch my drift. If art didn't have any political implications, maybe we'd have missed many masterpieces along the years. However, there is a certain limit where it all has to end. Most unfortunately, limits (still) tend to be overshadowed and misplaced around here...which might well explain a thing or two.

The film just isn't in any way how I imagined it to be. There's little of a storyline to follow, for it's a...aham, character study. Take note, authentically ONE character. Obviously, Nicolaescu's. The film goes so far as to harass the dignity an active human brain might possess. Nicolaescu's self-obsession is rather pregnant throughout the gazillion minutes the movie stretches and ends up being a severe insult brought not only to movie goers, but to the whole Romanian nation. It may sound harsh, but it's a fact, because it's an issue of image and we're way behind on this. 2004 really wasn't a glamorous year for Romanian cinema, but to present "Orient Express" to a foreign public is similar to inflicting yourself cut wounds. Luckily enough, such wounds heal, but it can take a while. About the film, well...people act very strange in the mystic forests around the prince's castle, while the superficial image of society is tasteless and hollow. Were it not for the unexpected beginning, I'd dare to say it's an endless bore. And, actually, it is.

Nicolaescu's effort consists of gathering a mostly talentless cast (not endangering his superior position) and then shooting an absolutely disappointing flick. I suppose he's got at least one good film in his credits, however, with Orient Express, he proves to be a most untalented director. 3/10

this movie is extraordinary! i have seen it just once but it remained in my mind as the best Romanian movie i have ever seen.everything is great:the story, based on the novel "Printul", by Tudor Teodorescu-Braniste, which is very strange and attractive at the same time;the landscaping;the music;the idea that makes Sergiu Nicolaescu once again a great director.The actors are playing just perfect.You can see great actors with small roles , but they play just great and they make the movie more interesting.The places chosen for the movie are outstanding.the castle, the sea side, Paris...the train rail....even the train itself!The end of the movie it's very sad, it made me want to read the novel!

It's hard to find a single good aspect of the movie, except for strong acting from romanian star Gheorghe Dinica and surprisingly nice performance of Valentin Teodosiu, an actor which i my opinion deserves better roles then he usually gets in movies.

For the rest, the didactic speech of the main character, spread over half the movies, practically kills any interest for the picture quite quickly.

Mr Nicolaescu should realise that the audience is hardly interested in his vision about nobility, or in a romantic image of the last days of the romanian aristocracy.

With the two exceptions already mentioned, acting is 70'ish and of a poor quality, the movie has lost of clichés and generally speaking, without being a horrible experience, is practically a waste of time to watch.

it has many sins of Sergiu Nicolaescu films. in same measure, its great vulnerability are the dialogues. artificial, theatrical, unconvincing. the good point - the atmosphere. and the nice choice for Dan Bittmann in the role of young Moruzi. sure, it is a homage of director to himself. it is obvious this fact but not so bad. because, after the end, important is the voice from the past. the nostalgia and the lost beauty, the flavor of pink novels and the remember of Ecclesiastes. film about a life. about love, friendship, greed and selfishness. about lost of the beauties of the youth. and about memories. nothing original but enough for a not so boring trip.

"Orient Express" is a very good Romanian version of the classic movie "Il Gattorpardo" ("The Leopard" - en.). Unfortunately, like other Romanian movies, it's not a universal movie, it's a Romanian movie - difficult to understand for other culture. Of course, there is a difference between Nicolaescu and Burt Lancaster, but as director Sergiu Nicolaescu did a great movie. A bad element is that some romantic moments can be remarked as a little bit artificial, but we must not forget the environment, the circumstances of those years (between first and second word war)with a snobbery society. I also appreciated very much the music.

For me it's a "must see movie".