The Snails' Senator (1995) User Reviews

Great Romanian movie...

[simipurza · 8/10 · 25 May 2005]

This is a great example of how a Romanian movie can make a lasting impression. It is, i would think, a movie made for the Romanian audience and the Romanian-speaking viewers; i haven't seen the English version, but i would doubt it would have the same effect. A grate movie by all accounts. Good acting and good screen play. The story is a profound account of Romanian history and society, and, as i said before, any Romanian can relate to that, i don't know about foreigners. The film is about a corrupt senator who is spending some leisure time at his country-side villa; a young peasant women with high professional aspirations needs this senator's help in building up her carrier, the question is, what sacrifices has she to make... Add some ethical conflicts and strong drama plus a group of western journalists, and you get a movie that will surely make a lasting impression, and it makes you think about certain things...

Trancends any culture

[brentsbag-1 · 8/10 · 14 September 2012]

I am not as articulate as the other reviews. This is a movie I will remember for the rest of my life. It speaks directly to the human experience no matter place or time. And it's just such a charming experience to watch. No matter how profound man can get, if we can't laugh at ourselves, we have nothing.

No, sir. You do not have to be Romanian to appreciate. Even a stupid American can appreciate this film. (Ha, Ha, Joke, (I think))

I don't get the 10 line review policy. Yes I'm padding here so I can post, but I think that's better than going on with BS so I make the ten line requirement.

pessimistic view of the transition period of Romania

[dromasca · 5/10 · 2 October 2009]

This film was made in 1995 five years after Romania got rid of the Communist rule, and almost 14 years ago, but it already bears a very pessimistic view of the transition process that Romania underwent after the fall of the Communism. From the point of view of the national mood it could be made today as well. A corrupt senator visits a remote mountain area to inaugurate a wind power station. Much happens as during the Communist rule - demagogic speeches, fake folklore music, the bosses get a good time eating, drinking, womanizing while the simple people cope as they can and engage into mean conflicts. All with the language that in Romanian literature descends from the great writer and playwright Caragiale who satirized the political class at the turn of the 20th century.

Things go wrong and comedy turns into tragedy for the simple people, while the riches continue with their seemingly endless party. The problem of the film is showing the two worlds in a too much schematic manner. Director Daneliuc seems to hate so much the characters that he describes that the best he can do is to laugh at them and deprive them of all humanity. It's a pity as actors like Dorel Visan who has the lead role could have certainly delivered a more nuanced view of such a character as senator Virtosu. A mystical sense of fatality that envelops the lead feminine character does not help either. 'Senatorul melcilor' catches well the moment but cannot turn it into good cinema.