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Note: Spoilers.
It takes a long time to get into this Italian
movie. And I mean a long time. Like an hour.
In fact, the first hour of this film is so elongated,
boring and typical that most people will not
make it through. If I was watching this on a
DVD instead of at a theater, I might have either
given up or fast-forwarded ahead through a lot
of this movie.
But there is some interesting and clever
ideas going on in the beginning of the film.
One of them, in fact, used at the beginning
of the film, is so clever that I didn't even
snap to it; one of my movie-going companions
did. In the beginning of the film, as two gay
male lovers talk via cell, one at home in the
evening and the other on his way home from work,
we see text messages sent back and forth between
to cell phones about dinner being cooked. This
is actually two contract killers using "code"
to talk about a target. This is something that
isn't obvious right away.
The film continues in the first hour into
territory about grief and loss. And it is a
long hour. We have to watch Corso Solani as
Paolo drift for endless minutes through a hospital
and then through city streets as he tries desperately
to struggle with the murder of his lover in
a world that not only dismisses him but also
has no earthly idea of the grief he is going
through. It gets quite dull especially through
some seemingly endless parts where there is
no dialogue. But the message in this segment
of the film becomes clear upon retrospect. Everyone
Paolo meets thinks they understand the problem
and the grief he is going through but they,
in fact, are clueless to truly comprehending
his pain and grief.
The film is full of endless one-take shots
that go on forever. Filmmaker Andrea Adriatico
attempts to make us understand the hopelessness
of grief, the complete incomprehensible nature
of loss, by refusing to cut her scenes for time
consideration or content considerations. They
are what they are. The camera tracks back and
forth down a long alley between the scene of
two murder victims final resting place long
after the ambulances have left. Paolo wanders
the city through the night seemingly forever.
For a long time, we think the film is taking
place in real time. But, even though it seems
much longer, its 90-minute running time takes
place over the course of an evening, from supper
time to dawn. Time stands still... and then
it begins motions again. At times time is dragged
to a standstill by the sound of a long, mourning
cello sustain or the sound of the wind, in the
evening, blowing loudly and harshly much as
it does in a film by David Lynch. (I hereby
dub the effect Lynchian Wind).
The third act, the finale' of the film
finally throws us into the grips of true loss
and the promise of hope. Paolo meets the adorable
Momo, played with overwhelming charm and sweetness
by the cute-as-can-be Fabio Valletta. Momo's
crush on the older man is evident from the moment
he sees him. And Paolo caught in the grips of
his misery and nearly inconsolable is rescued
for a moment. He walks and talks with Momo.
There endless walk a continually flirtation
that finds Momo entranced and Paolo unable to
explain his recent loss to the younger man,
let alone reciprocate his affection. Still,
they go to Momo's little apartment, kiss and
begin to make love. Momo is so cute and so full
of love and life and goodness and charm that
we can almost forgive Paolo for being seduced.
We think of Halle Berry's character in "Monster's
Ball." We think about the enormous and complex
relationship between sex and grief tied up in
emotional outbursts and a need to fill the endless
emptiness. But Paolo, wisely, has to walk away.
He is not ready yet. Tomorrow offers the hope
of healing and of beginning a new life. Tomorrow
offers the hope of the diminishing of the suffering.
But it is not quite yet tomorrow.
By the end of the film, however, the sun
has begun to rise.
Note:
In Italian with subtitles.
The film, which to the best of my knowledge
has not been picked up for a US release, was
first screened at Berlin in early 2004.
Viewed at Agliff in October of 2005 with
my friend Craig and his friend Lance.
Report Card
Script: D+
Acting: A
Cinematography\Lighting: C-
Special Effects\Make Up: C
Music: C-
Final Grade: C-
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