Is Glissando Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1982)

📖 The Core Premise

Glissando returns to the screen in 1982, bringing a fresh narrative to the Drama genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "In a devastating story rife with visual metaphors, Romanian director Mircea Daneliuc traces the slow mental disintegration of a confirmed gambler, using his disorder as an allusion to a greater national and social disorder. Set in the 1930s, the middle-class gambler meets an elderly man who seems to bring him good luck at the gaming tables. Rather than treasure his friendship and the good fortune it brings, the gambler takes advantage of his friend, and by his actions drives the man to suicide. Unable to reconcile his own mental demons, the gambler wanders through the house of his dead friend, and his experiences there only serve to unsettle his mind more and more and more. In the last reels of the film, the fantasies of the hero's deranged mind take over."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. While not a career-best, Ştefan Iordache's presence adds a necessary stability to the proceedings. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Drama. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Glissando worth your time? If you appreciate Drama films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Glissando is a mixed bag with some redeeming qualities. With a runtime of 165 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Watch on OTT.