'So Bright Is the View' DVD: 'Girls' Romanian Style

The recent Indiepix Films DVD release of the 2014 drama "So Bright Is the View" provides proof that Millennial "Girls" (ala the HBO series of that name) the world over experience the same forms of angst. The understanding of the modern female psyche is so strong that it is surprising that this film is from a brother writing/directing team. It is almost certain that Michael and Joel Florescu have a sister whom they know well. 

The following YouTube clip of a trailer for "Bright" showcases the "Girls" elements of the life of central mid-20-something Estera in Bucharest. We see her interact with the people such as her emo boyfriend, her roommate, and her manipulative mother,  

The opening scenes in "Bright" that revolve around Estera and her newly arrived visiting cousin further establishes it as a modern film. Their discussion involves a few dramatic and traumatic matters. The action then follows the script for most recent productions in that it moves back in time several months to begin the narration of events leading to the aforementioned conversation.

This earlier scene is rather bizarre in that we barely see a man and a woman in tall grass far in the distance. They are talking about odd aspects of her fetus, and it is unclear at that point that the woman is Estera.

The action rapidly shifts to the apartment of Estera. She and her roommate are having a very "Girls" style discussion regarding the life of Estera. The topics include unread correspondence from her mother, job issues and related expectations for career advancement, her relationship with her boyfriend, etc.

A scene-stealer soon enters the picture in the form of comically aggressive visiting businessman "Mike." He is a family friend from his old country (and their current one). A scene in which he bullies Estera, and the server and the manager at a restaurant during a "friend" interview is hilarious. This obnoxious behavior is more than adequate to deter any reasonable person from eating the food that is served after the continuous abuse. 

The virtually promised prospect of employment in Atlanta both excites Estera and causes angst that includes the role of her boyfriend in this anticipated new life. Mike further showing his true nature in a subsequent meeting is as hilarious as his antics in the restaurant but both should deter Estera from working with him and prompt him to sleep with one eye open.

Things begin unraveling even further when the confidence of Estera erodes during a meeting with her boss. Many of us can relate to entering such a conversation with expectations of a pat on the back and walking out feeling the impact of a kick in the ass.

The outcome of all this is equally universal. Estera gets a reality check that shows that giving every kid who plays soccer a trophy hinders that person later in life.