Yes, it's all in the eye of the... producer. I could only see about 20 minutes of this movie, it was all such a déjà-vu. And I got back later to see the rest. Great acting, but, as always, the bitter taste of foul language (which almost all post-communism Romanian screenplay writers use to "spice-up" the bitter comedy they produce). As a Romanian and also as a "consumer" of movies, I am fed up with this approach to life "shots". In a quarter of a century I have not seen one Romanian movie where Romanians are portrayed as wise and refusing to be otherwise than greedy, violent, lascivious and lacking moral strength. The message usually is that you can't win. "Mere roşii" (Red Apples), a Romanian movie made back in the dictator Ceauşescu's days (1976), may be considered a propaganda movie, but it has nothing of the kind; it's just a story (of a real fact) that deals with an inspiring and ethical subject: remaining true to your calling and finding ways to keep your uprightness in a degrading work environment. "Chasing Rainbows" is one of many Romanian productions that has no interest for characters that would build and enlighten the audience. Just one more production that has the audacity to claim that it portrays real-life, "just as it is". Well, I am happy to inform the director and screenplay writer Dan Chişu (pronounced Keeshoo) that Romanians that lead a healthy, wise and productive life DO exist and should be made main characters in future movies. The great acting in "Chasing Rainbows" was marred by profanity, foul language and a bleak, disheartening atmosphere. Don't get me wrong: If there WERE movies different than this I'd just choose to see those and forget about pictures like this. I often review dramas on my own site and found many that are beautiful works of art. This movie here is not. It's just a freak show, a circus, a curiosity on the side of the road. Gambling, lottery, drugs, Internet frauds, misguided youth - these are hardly my favorite subjects. Especially when they are described almost in the light that they are desirable for even "normal" people. Sorry, but the excuse that the movie portrays rapacity, recklessness, indifference, an uncanny drive to get rich is no longer acceptable for someone who is waiting (for 25 years) from Romanian producers to show that Romania and Romanians have also good parts. In my eyes those who only try to impress the film-world outside Romania with "spicy" themes, are just prostitutes. I will be interested in Dan Chisu's work when he has cared less for applause and more for his audience. In my opinion, a movie is true art when you can watch it with your kids and not feel embarrassed - presuming that you still know what is to be considered shameful.
