Poker

In the history of Romanian cinema, Sergiu Nicolaescu's name stands for "prolific, highly commercial and professional".

At the age of 80, the director launched in April his latest production, which is also his second comedy in a long row of action and historic films. "Poker" is a cinema adaptation of Adrian Lustig's theatre play with the same name, and focuses on four male friends, representatives for the social canvas: a doctor without a moral conscience, an unscrupulous politician, a chief of the local mafia, and a businessman who made a fortune in America. Nicolaescu says the subject is "more contemporary than ever and reflects the political reality perfectly," even if it had to be delayed due to other director's projects.

Made by MediaPro Pictures, 'Poker' looks at immorality and intrigues in politics, hinting at the fact that contemporary Romania is a day to day jungle where strings are pulled by those in power, so everything turns into a poker round, where those who have the right aces in their sleeve can win.

Born in April 1930, Sergiu Nicolaescu is a Romanian film director, actor and politician. He is best known for his historical movies, such as Mihai Viteazul (1970, released in English both under the equivalent title Michael the Brave and The Last Crusade), Dacii (1966, Warriors), Razboiul Independentei (1977, War of Independence), as well as for his series of thrillers that take place in the Kingdom of Romania, such as Un comisar acuza (1973, A Police Inspector Calls). He is one of the most popular film directors in Romania. Nicolaescu's debut as a director was in 1962 with the short film Scoicile nu au vorbit niciodata (Shells Have Never Spoken). His first feature film was the 1966 French-Romanian co-production Dacii (Les Guerriers). Nicolaescu continued his film-making career by directing a large number of movies and also starring in many of his own movies.

Although not nearly among the jewels of European, nor even Romanian cinematography, a satire comedy "Poker" is indeed an entertaining movie, not lacking in quality or good acting. I wouldn't precisely classify it as a satire, for obvious reasons that, although the theme of corrupt politicians, the almightiness of mafia and its close relation with politics is ever-present, and can be applied to most of Balkan countries today, it is not the dominating theme of the "Poker". Above all mentioned, it is a story of a friendship among four men spreading from their early childhood. As elderly, they are all powerful men of various jobs and professions, but what is really fascinating about them is the fact that their friendship and the passion for poker find the way to remain and they coexist in a somewhat silly manner that includes sharing a mistress and forgiving each others misdeeds. Therefore, "Poker" is more like a benevolent comedy than an actual satire, the dialogues are magnificent and the actors superb.

This is not one of the best movies that Romanian cinematography has produced. However, it does have the name of long standing director and actor Sergiu Nicolaescu attached to it, which is probably the reason for the high revenues that it is producing.

I believe that most viewers will find at least a few elements in the film that they can relate to, whether it is the strong friendship between the main characters, the politics or even the game of poker.

The best part about the movie is the manner in which it portrays the social politics of Romanian "elites". The conversations between the main protagonists are disgustingly appealing and they apply to most politicians across the world.

The worst part about the movie was, in my opinion, the chaotic style of some scenes that is specific to Nicolaescu. The audience got lost in some of the conversations and I personally felt a bit disoriented during the quick succession of camera angles at times.

I have seen this movie yesterday with my wife a couple of our friends in a cinema in Bucharest and we all agreed this movie could easily be a candidate for the worst Romanian movie ever made. It was a huge disappointment, considering the director Sergiu Nicolaescu's previous cinematographic background, but again, he became famous for action and historical movies, not comedies… I guess he should have stayed with directing those… This movie is bad in so many ways that is hard for me to start criticizing it, but I believe the script is the main flaw and it should have never been turn into a movie in the first place. It is said to be a satirical comedy, a tragicomic view on post-communist Romania, portraying real Romanian typologies (the corrupt politician, the mob godfather, the "godlike" doctor, the "material girl") but the fact is that it fails to deliver, it is simply poorly made. It is a pity, because the actors are all significant for the Romanian show-biz and they struggle to make something out of those characters, but as an irony, their good acting only makes things worse. It was similar to casting Academy-Award winners in a Stanley and Oliver movie. My final advice to you is: Avoid this movie! It is a waste of precious time