Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by orejones (D) on June 20, 2005 at 03:13:21

It´s simply wonderful!

At first sight, it simply depicts an evening at a Roman trattoria, with the camera looking both at people dining there and at those serving them nice Italian food..., while it is a distillate of human behaviour, plenty of flavors and nuances, with a nice touch of surrealism here and there..., and it reaches deep into human condition, with very well drawn characters, a wonderfully weaven plot (which even seems not to be there...), excellent photography, and a filmic rhythm which lets life flow all around.

In more that one aspect, it has an atmosphere reminding "The Dead", with the final epiphany of Huston´s film being diluted all along a whole set of magnificent smaller ones, well punctuated to keep the film growing and growing, always absorbing you, never disappointing you the least: a wonderful choral film, with superb soloists singing their parts always in tune!

Worth seeing one, two, three, and more times, as it will grow up with every viewing: just looking at the old waiter´s professionality is a delight..., while there´s nobody whose role isn´t played to perfection.

The interpreters? Fanny Ardant, splendid as ever; Vittorio Gassman, playing an old teacher in a most measured way; Giancarlo Giannini, who I never admired much, grew quite a few points in my appreciation; Stefania Sandrelli..., and a few more, less known, but equally wonderful.

Nothing spectacular, nothing flashy..., just life flowing.

Highly recommended, worth any pains to find, and to buy it.

Regards

BF