Dumitru (Dan Condurache), an intimidating bruiser with a history of assault, is released from jail and heads for home. Reunited with his wife, he's disgusted to discover that she's now carrying the baby of his own brother. The revelation is enough to spark Dumitru's short temper. He goes on a violent rampage and mercilessly murders his brother before eventually quitting the village on some kind of befuddled spiritual quest. Dogged by numerous demons and seemingly driven by the devil himself, Dumitru finally turns to religion in a last-ditch bid for salvation.

This disconcerting adaptation of a story written by Ioan Cãrmãzan is a song of redemption, but one that noticeably uses very little music. As stark and uncomforting as its Romanian locations, Dragin's picture is predominantly sepia-hued and these murky, muted visuals are used to complement Dumitru's odyssey. It's an effective design, which steadily creates a tense atmosphere of almost constant malaise.

As the hulking, unpredictable Dumitru, Condurache himself exudes considerable menace. However, the film's principal problem lies in the fact that the protagonist is such an unlikable and ultimately unfathomable creation that it's hard to feel either empathy or sympathy for him - even when he's crying over the death of his beloved goose (a pretty ridiculous scene) or butting his head against the wall (a frankly extraordinary one).

An apocalyptic and well-composed finale--depicting a weary Dumitru reciting the Lord's Prayer, as van Gogh-style crows circle overhead--suggests that Dragin is a name to watch in the future. Starring Dan Condurache, Ana Ciontea, Horatiu Mãlãele and Dan Astilean. Directed and written by Sinisa Dragin. Produced by Mihai Gheorghiu. No distributor set. Drama. Romanian-language; subtitled. Not yet rated. Running time: 94 min.