"In an empty space, with scarce elements - wooden suitcases from which a train, barracks, etc. "are made" and a "real" bed, which represents the universe of prostitute Rowana (Crina Matei) -, the director alleviates the military conflict, emphasizing the process of growing up of young people through friendship, solidarity, learning some rules of life (honesty, honour, dignity, fairness), the start of sex life and the discovery of love. Their maturation is accelerated by the war that awaits them to test them at another level, which includes courage, suffering, even death.

They master the characters, from the veterans Liviu Romanescu (Eugene - omniscient, with humour), Daniel Hara (Sergeant Toomey - rigid, powerful and truthful at the moment of fragility) and Valentin Paraschivu - (Joseph Wykowski - muscles, trickster, self-sufficiency and human touches) to the newcomers George Burcea (Roy Selridge - long on muscle, short on brains), Bogdan Florea (Don Carney - fragile, especially psychologically) ​​and Sorin Dobrin (James Hennesey - lucid, always on guard, probably because of the "illegality" of his sexual orientation). Arnold Epstein, the main character of Eugene's demeanor, a vulnerable type through his anemic physique, sense of justice and educated spirit (qualities not appreciated in the army), is impersonated by Dragoş Dumitru from the initial cast, alternating with Eduard Cirlan. ”

Oana Stoica, Dilema Veche - The Boys on the Hot Roof  

Translated by Simona Nichiteanu