Critics reviews

Muntean’s movie is geared towards painting the titular character as a standoffish brat driven only by self-interest. . . . In his grand scheme to demonize the protagonist, Muntean includes a smattering of gratuitous nudity. It speaks volumes about his perception of teenagers and their smartphones.

Whatever one thinks of Muntean’s attempt to psychologically define a character he by all indication disdains, the answers he comes up with are distinctly underwhelming.

The same unflinching gaze that served so well to mark out relationship structures now comes across as inappropriate, even uncomfortable. For all the benefits of distance, certain matters simply require a clearer directorial position, not least in relation to experiences that aren’t your own.

The constant state of war between a spectacularly stroppy teenage girl and her exasperated mother is vividly captured in Alice T. Strong characterisations and dramatic confrontations sustain a film that underlines director Radu Muntean’s ability to mine the fierce drama in everyday lives.