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Movies / Upcoming / California Dreamin'
California Dreamin'

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California Dreamin' (2009)

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Reviews Counted:14

Fresh:12

Rotten:2

Average Rating:6.5/10

Runtime: 2 hrs 35 mins

Genre: Comedies

US Box Office: $0

Synopsis: US Marine Cpt Jones is assigned to escort a train carrying NATO equipment headed for Yugoslavia during the war in Kosovo. His mission is held back by Doiaru, apparently a very thorough station... US Marine Cpt Jones is assigned to escort a train carrying NATO equipment headed for Yugoslavia during the war in Kosovo. His mission is held back by Doiaru, apparently a very thorough station master in a godforsaken village, who halts the train over a paperwork technicality. The community makes ridiculous efforts to welcome the Americans, intending to profit from their unexpected presence. The troops join the game - and Doiaru's own daughter has a brief affair with Sgt. McLaren. Tired of waiting to get help from higher up, Cpt Jones decides to take matters into his own hands. As he gets more and more involved with the locals, he stirs old arguments and reveals the actual reason why Doiaru stopped his train to be a very personal one. At the end of five intense days, the train resumes its journey leaving behind broken hearts, broken dreams and a civil war.--© Official Site [More]

Starring: Armand Assante, Jamie Elman, Razvan Vasilescu, Gabriel Spahiu

Starring: Armand Assante, Jamie Elman, Razvan Vasilescu, Gabriel Spahiu, Catalina Mustata

Director: Cristian Nemescu

Director: Cristian Nemescu
Screenwriter: Cristian Nemescu, Tudor Voican
Studio: Media Pro Film Distribution

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Reviews for California Dreamin'

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1 - 14 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
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California Dreamin' mostly observes a series of complicated personal interactions, its point helped along by Doiaru's speeches concerning the ongoing American failure even to try to comprehend the populations it invades, assimilates, abuses, and buys off.

Full Review Source: PopMatters | comment Comment
02/06/09
Cynthia Fuchs
Cynthia Fuchs
PopMatters

"Occasionally drags and slightly overstays its welcome, but still it's mostly intriguing and intelligent.

Full Review Source: NYC Movie Guru | comment Comment
01/30/09
Avi Offer
Avi Offer
NYC Movie Guru

It could use a trim, but only rarely does it strain for effect, and, for a young man, Nemescu was uncannily versed in the emotions of middle age.

Full Review Source: New Yorker | comment Comment
01/26/09
Anthony Lane
Anthony Lane
New Yorker
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Another rewarding dark satire from Romania, the feature debut of a director who died tragically young.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
01/26/09
Eric Monder
Eric Monder
Film Journal International

For now at least, we have to be content with this pleasing comedy in search of an editor.

Full Review Source: New York Post | comment Comment
01/23/09
V.A. Musetto
V.A. Musetto
New York Post

California Dreamin' is a rambunctious, closely observed comedy of cultural collision.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
01/23/09
A.O. Scott
A.O. Scott
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A deft fable that maps global concerns onto a local story with confidence and wit.

Full Review Source: Time Out New York | comment Comment
01/21/09
Ben Walters
Ben Walters
Time Out New York

At its present length it sprawls shamelessly in terms of the ultimate futility of its narrative.

Full Review Source: New York Observer | comment Comment
01/21/09
Andrew Sarris
Andrew Sarris
New York Observer

What surprises and delights is how complete the work feels, finished in every way aesthetically and thematically, any longueurs or asides entirely part of Nemescu's indelible emotional tapestry.

Full Review Source: House Next Door | comment Comment
04/19/08
Keith Uhlich
Keith Uhlich
House Next Door

[It] could do with some editing (indeed, the parenthetical in the title refers to its unshaped state), but there's just as little doubt that Nemescu's work is pretty worthy as is.

Full Review Source: MovieMartyr.com | comment Comment
01/07/08
Jeremy Heilman
Jeremy Heilman
MovieMartyr.com

Engaging, impressively directed and ultimately devastating drama with strong performances and a powerful political message.

Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
10/19/07
Matthew Turner
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon

Nemescu’s promising young voice will be sorely missed, not only in Romanian cinema but also on the international scene.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
10/11/07
Wally Hammond
Wally Hammond
Time Out

Unfinished but certainly not unworthy; a diamond in the rough.

Full Review Source: european-films.net | comment Comment
06/08/07
Boyd van Hoeij
Boyd van Hoeij
european-films.net

As it looks now, the film lacks any pace to speak of, but much more serious are the absence of a distinct narrative style and an abundance of hesitant directorial decisions, badly in need of an editing table, if the plot has to make sense at all.

Full Review Source: Screen International | comment Comment
05/28/07
Dan Fainaru
Dan Fainaru
Screen International
 
 
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June 18, 2007: California Dreamin' (Nesfarsit) - preview & trailer Opens in new window
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