The Death of Mr. Lazarescu
Seen it?2005 | 154 min | Drama, Comedy
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (93% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had almost no lasting buzz and a box office loss. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved Code 3, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Darkly funny.
- The pace
- Unhurried and epic, at 2 hr 34 min.
- What might put you off
- It's long: 2 hr 34 min.
- It's in another language, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
After suffering terrible headaches and stomach cramps, Mr. Lăzărescu, a lonely 63 year-old man, calls for an ambulance, beginning one man’s hellish journey through Bucharest hospitals in search of proper medical care. As the night unfolds, his health starts to deteriorate fast.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 87 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.4 out of 10
- AwardsWeak
0 wins and 3 nominations from smaller awards and festivals
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$217K worldwide on a $390K budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
About 21K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Cristi Puiu
- Ion FiscuteanuMr. Lăzărescu
- Luminița GheorghiuMioara Avram
- Doru AnaSandu Sterian
- Monica BîrlădeanuMariana
- Alina BerzunțeanuDr. Zamfir
- Alexandru PotoceanStretcher-bearer, Bagdasar Hospital
- Dana DogaruMIhaela Sterian
- Florin ZamfirescuDr. Ardelean
- Dragoș BucurMișu
- Mimi BrănescuDoctor Mirică