Child's Pose is a 2013 Romanian drama film directed by Calin Peter Netzer. The film revolves around a wealthy Romanian woman named Cornelia (Luminita Gheorghiu), who uses her social status and money to manipulate the legal system and save her son Barbu (Bogdan Dumitrache) from a lengthy prison sentence after he has hit and killed a 14-year-old boy with his car while driving recklessly.
Despite her son's reckless behavior, Cornelia is determined to protect her son and maintain her social status. She hires a high-powered lawyer and begins to use her connections to intimidate witnesses and exert control over the investigation. Cornelia's actions highlight the corruption and injustice present in the Romanian legal system.
Throughout the movie, Cornelia's relationship with Barbu is also explored. We see the tense and complicated dynamics between the two, as Cornelia tries to shape her son's life and protect him at all costs. Barbu, on the other hand, seeks to distance himself from his mother's control and live his own life.
The film is shot in a realistic, intimate style that aims to showcase the characters' emotions and inner conflicts. The use of close-up shots particularly highlights the tension and conflict between the characters.
Luminita Gheorghiu's performance as Cornelia is one of the standout aspects of the movie. She portrays a complex and multi-dimensional character who is determined to protect her son while also struggling with her own inner turmoil. Her nuanced performance earned her critical acclaim, including a Best Actress award at the Berlin International Film Festival.
The film also explores themes of class, privilege, and corruption in Romanian society. Through Cornelia's actions, we see how the wealthy and powerful can manipulate the legal system to their advantage, while the less fortunate are often left with little recourse.
Overall, Child's Pose is a powerful and gritty drama that offers a nuanced look at a mother's complicated relationship with her son and the corrupt legal system. Through its expertly crafted characters and realistic style, it shines a light on the darker aspects of Romanian society and the struggles of those on the margins.
Child's Pose is a 2013 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 52 minutes.
It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 77.
