#dogpoopgirl

This satire by Andrei Hutuleac wants to address dysfunctions of modern (Romanian) society, transfixed in its obsession with scandals and its deformed perception of justice and how these have been galvanized by internet culture.

Clearly, these are valid observations, that have been made many a time; often, without being memorably incisive, but on occasion with some flair. Radu Jude's 2021 movie that I can't name because my review won't be published is an example of the latter, but it feels crass to even mention it here.

#dogpoopgirl turns out as an opaque X-ray of no real value, that at best is unfunny and at worst is tasteless. The state of the nation is, indeed, more tragic than comic, but in order to successfully portray that in a movie, you can't just recreate familiar news reels and dump on a contourless lead. That's in spite of Andreea Gramosteanu's performance, which offers some dignity when her character has none.

Perhaps I'm being harsh - had the movie been a short, consisting of the intro/outro sequences, it would have almost worked. Altogether, though, even at a measly 78 minutes, this movie is an hour too long.