Best Intentions

Romanian director Adrian Sitaru based his gently humorous BEST INTENTIONS on his own frantic state following his mother's mild stroke. Alex, in his 30s, likes to control things. He's a connected resident of Bucharest who spends all his time on the phone or computer, and he seems unduly irritated when his girlfriend throws out an ancient pair of underwear his mom gave him. When he hears Mama's in the hospital, Alex's inner worrywart shifts into high gear. Still trying to manage her care over the phone, he hops on a cross-country train to be by her side. Though the doctors and Alex's dad point out that she's recovering nicely, Alex second-guesses their decisions. He wants Mama moved to a different hospital; he wants her on a different diet; he wants her to see different specialists; he badgers everyone who passes through her room. Sitaru's camera continually switches perspective, so we see Alex through the more rational eyes of everyone around him. A fine example of the resurgence in Romanian cinema. (In Romanian with subtitles) –B.B.