Watch The Death of Mr. Lazarescu

The Death of Mr. Lazarescu is a 2005 Romanian film directed by Cristi Puiu. The movie centers around Mr. Lazarescu, an old man who lives alone in an apartment in Bucharest. One night, he feels unwell and calls for an ambulance. Thus begins a long, grueling journey through the Romanian healthcare system, as the ambulance travels from one hospital to another, trying to find a doctor who can diagnose and treat Mr. Lazarescu's illness.

The film is shot in a realistic, documentary style that gives the viewer a sense of being a helpless observer watching a real-life tragedy unfold. The camera follows Mr. Lazarescu and the medics as they navigate the maze of hospitals and bureaucracy, encountering indifferent doctors, overworked nurses, and uncooperative patients along the way.

As the night wears on and Mr. Lazarescu's condition worsens, the sense of urgency and frustration grows. The medical professionals seem more concerned with filling out paperwork and avoiding responsibility than actually treating their patient. Meanwhile, Mr. Lazarescu becomes more and more delirious, his pain and fear palpable onscreen.

Despite the serious subject matter, the film has a darkly humorous edge. The medics bicker and joke amongst themselves, making light of their appalling working conditions and low pay. Mr. Lazarescu himself is a cantankerous, opinionated character, and some of his interactions with the medical staff are cringe-worthy but also oddly amusing.

Throughout the film, there is a sense of impending doom, as the viewer can see that Mr. Lazarescu's illness is serious and time is running out. The slow pace of the film also adds to the tension, as the viewer is forced to endure the same frustrating delays and bureaucratic obstacles as the characters onscreen.

The Death of Mr. Lazarescu is a harrowing portrayal of a healthcare system in crisis, and a scathing critique of a society that values profit over people. It is also a testament to the resilience and compassion of ordinary people trying to do their best in difficult circumstances.

Overall, this film is a masterpiece of Romanian cinema, and a must-watch for anyone interested in social justice, health care, and the human condition. It won several awards, including the Un Certain Regard prize at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival, and was praised by critics for its raw realism and powerful message. Despite its grim subject matter, The Death of Mr. Lazarescu is a movie that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

The Death of Mr. Lazarescu is a 2005 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 33 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.8 and a MetaScore of 87.