4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (4 luni, 3 saptamani si 2 zile) is a Romanian noir film directed by Cristian Mungui that is based on a true story about a pregnant college girl, Gabita Dragut (played by Laura Valiliu), and her dormmate, Otilia(played by Anamaria Marinca), in winter 1987. Gabita does not want the baby, so the two have planned to hire a Dr. Bebe (played by Vlad Ivanov) to perform the abortion in a hotel room. The suspense in the film is the equivalent of a spellbinding mystery story. Otilia creates the suspense by appearing exceptionally frantic throughout as she attempts to gain the cooperation of uncooperative Romanians whose bitterness toward the Caeusescu regime is sublimated into passive hostility and occasional rage. She must secure the funds from her boyfriend, but wants to keep the unlawful act a secret from him. Then she must check into a hotel. Plans go somewhat awry, primarily because Gabita prevaricates over and over again. Next, Otilia must meet Dr. Bebe and direct him to the hotel room, where Gabita awaits them. In his examination of Gabita, he realizes that she might be five months pregnant, so he notes that as a result he could serve a longer sentence--ten months in prison if caught, whereas the girls would serve lighter sentences. He then explains the procedure, which makes both girls nervous. More tension accompanies his efforts to collect the fee. When their allotment is insufficient, Otilia strips to satisfy him, presumably making her another pregnant customer in due course. Then filmviewers see the procedure. As he packs up to leave, he gives cautionary instructions, including how to handle a fever and where to dispose of the fetus. But Otilia has promised her boyfriend to attend his mother’s birthday party, so she leaves, nervous about her friend, and her tension does not abate while at the party. She leaves early and returns to check on Gabita, who has already aborted the fetus. Otilia now must dispose of the fetus, which filmviewers see. On returning to the hotel room, Gabita is not in the room but instead in the hotel’s coffeeshop, and the film ends abruptly. Is the film an argument for or against legalizing abortion? Filmviewers must decide for themselves, but now they may better understand the dangers and tensions of back-alley abortions. MH
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