50) Police, Adjective
Director: Corneliu Porumboiu
Year: 2010
Plot Summary: The movie focuses on policeman Cristi, who is investigating a teenage boy who has been smoking hashish. Over time, Cristi begins to question the ethical ramifications of his task.
Police, Adjective begins as one of the most painfully slow-paced movies I have ever seen. There's a ten minute sequence of Cristi watching the front of a house, a scene in which we see the policeman eating a full meal for what seems like an age and an excruciating amount people being followed. This sparked a few people to walk out of the cinema within the first hour and - in all honesty - I can see the reason why they would. However, in the film's second half, this Cannes winning police drama becomes a very intelligent study of modern Romania.The film poses the question: Is it moral to follow the laws of the country whatever they may be, even if that means putting a fairly innocent young boy in jail for 7 years? Or is it moral to stand up to the system and let something that, although illegal, is very minor slip past? Two key scenes towards the end of the film complement this idea. Firstly, there's a scene as Cristi's wife argues with him about a song's lyrics, announcing that he should look under the surface and see what they are trying to say. And secondly, the closing scene in which Cristi is confronted by the head of the police and is forced to read out the dictionary definitions of 'moral', 'law' and 'police'. It entices the audience to think about whether it's better to follow the poetic or the literal meaning of the words.
Despite the fact that Police, Adjective is quite clearly a statement about some of the ridiculous laws in Romania which contrast heavily from anywhere else in Europe, the film is fairly universal in its message. After all, we all face similar choices in out every day lives in regards to what is right and wrong. Therefore, it's easy to relate to Cristi's dilemma. However, having said that, the character really doesn't make any kind of change in the films 2 hour running length. From the very first scene, we understand that he is unsure about what he should do, avoiding his boss for as long as he can. Only at the end when his job is put in question does he have any kind of development.
The film's style is equally admirable and frustrating too. The long takes with a single camera that remains still make it very realistic. But, on the other hand, it's almost so realistic that it becomes monotonous and, well, boring. Furthermore, despite the complex themes there is a natural humour in many of the scenes that adds to the movie.
It's not a film I'd ever choose to sit through again and it truly does movie at an infuriatingly slow pace, but if you're a fan of Romanian cinema and have the patience to indulge in a police drama, then I guess Police, Adjective is worth a watch. After all, it is a very intelligent and strikingly original little movie about moral choices.
3/5
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