Watch Scarred Hearts

Scarred Hearts is a Romanian movie that was released in 2016. It is based on the novel of the same name by Max Blecher, which was published in 1937. The movie is directed by Radu Jude and stars Serban Pavlu, Alex Bogdan, and Gabriel Spahiu in the lead roles. The movie is set in Romania in the 1930s and revolves around a young man named Emanuel. Emanuel is suffering from tuberculosis and has been admitted to a sanatorium in the countryside. He is confined to bed and spends most of his time reading books or observing the people around him.

The sanatorium is a place where the wealthy and the influential come to seek treatment for their ailments. Emanuel is surrounded by people who are consumed by their own vanities and desires. These people are often loud, obnoxious, and devoid of any sense of empathy towards their fellow patients.

Emanuel, on the other hand, is quiet and contemplative. He spends most of his time thinking about life and death, about his own mortality and the uncertainty of the future. He also finds solace in the company of a young woman named Solange, who is also a patient in the sanatorium.

Solange is portrayed as a carefree and adventurous young woman, who is often seen smoking cigarettes and sneaking out of the sanatorium to visit her lover. She is a stark contrast to Emanuel, who is introverted and reserved. Despite their differences, the two develop a close relationship and begin to confide in each other.

While Emanuel's health deteriorates, his mind becomes sharper and more insightful. He begins to see the world around him with a new perspective, one that is not clouded by the petty concerns of the rich and the powerful.

The movie is shot in black and white and has a slow pace that is reflective of the protagonist's state of mind. The cinematography by Marius Panduru is outstanding, capturing the claustrophobic atmosphere of the sanatorium and the beautiful landscapes of the countryside.

The performances by the actors are also top-notch, especially that of Serban Pavlu who portrays Emanuel with a quiet intensity that is both moving and haunting. Alex Bogdan is also impressive as the carefree Solange, adding a touch of levity to an otherwise somber story.

One of the themes of the movie is the fragility of human life and the inevitability of death. The sanatorium is a microcosm of society, where the rich and the powerful go about their lives with a sense of entitlement, oblivious to the suffering of those around them. Emanuel's illness forces him to confront the reality of his own mortality, which makes him see the world with a clarity that is often absent in the lives of the healthy.

Another theme of the movie is the importance of human connection. Despite his isolation and confinement, Emanuel finds solace in the company of Solange and the other patients in the sanatorium. The movie shows that even in the face of death, human connection can provide comfort and hope.

In conclusion, Scarred Hearts is a beautiful and poignant movie that is a must-watch for anyone who appreciates great cinema. The movie's themes and characters linger in the mind long after the credits have rolled, making it an experience that is both enriching and unforgettable.

Scarred Hearts is a 2018 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 21 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1 and a MetaScore of 70.