An epic Italian drama telling the story of the wealthy Recchi family whose lives are undergoing sweeping changes. Eduardo Sr. (Gabriele Ferzetti), the family patriarch, has decided to name a successor to the reigns of his massive industrial company, surprising everyone by splitting power between his son Tancredi (Pippo Delbono) and grandson Edo (Flavio Parenti).
But Edo dreams of opening a restaurant with his friend Antonio (Edoardo Gabbriellini), a talented chef. At the heart of the family is Tancredi’s wife Emma (Tilda Swinton), a Russian immigrant who has adopted the culture of Milan. An adoring and attentive mother, her situation is rocked when she falls quickly and deeply in love with Antonio and embarks on a passionate love affair.
I Am Love is like an impressionist painting, an artwork of thoughtful brushstrokes, each one adding a richness to the overall effect. The story unfolds slowly, gently, the details interwoven into a family story representative of much wider ideas. From a distance, the swarm of characters on both sides of Italy's socio-economic divide are no more than disparate players. But they also communicate the film's grander themes of transformation.
Director Luca Guadagnino has successfully painted a fulsome picture of a family on the cusp of change. It's a triumph that we care about this coming-of-age for each of the many characters in the film, particularly Tilda Swinton's convincing oppressed housewife.
The workers – cooks, maids, cleaners – are also part of the film's rich tapestry, and Guadagnino gracefully captures their behind-the-scenes duties to show just how much back-stage preparation must go into being the perfect Italian housewife, as well as the class divide at the heart of this story.
Food-lover Guadagnino cleverly uses his props as motifs, and the lighting as theatrical – slightly balmy – devices to elevate emotion. A spotlight closes in on Swinton as her lips crack into succulent seafood and her chef lover pipes nipple-like decorations on his hors d'ouevres. It's just a tad hammy when she transforms into her real self following a lustful rolling in the grass scene, swapping from her bourgeoise get-up to a head-scarf and her old Russian name. But it's a moment that shows the chef's understanding of essence doesn't just apply to his food.
If the plot didn't literally fall victim to melodrama and farce towards the end, I Am Love would embody its very title with ease.
By Rebecca Barry Hill, Flicks.co.nz
Beautiful... architecture, clothes, people, acting, lovemaking, nature. Different and unpredictable. Agony of lust was palpable. I loved it.
After reading all the rave reviews I was disappointed with the movie as I had very high expectations. The movie was slow overall. The screnery bleak to start with and really hard to warm to the characters. Not what you would naturally think of for an Italian family. The film was artisticly shot so credit there. Note: the movie is sub-titled.
I haven't read a review that touches on some of the themes that were hinted at, but not expounded upon. For instance, the theme of immigration and what it means to become aculturated; the theme of religion (Catholicism) and how it does not answer human need, and the theme of homosexuality. The recurrent, almost blatant symbolism is not clearly explained. What does Emma give up in order to become Italian? The last scene, which will be missed by persons leaving during the credits is of Emma entwined with...? One might think it is with her lover, but why in a cave? and why is the image deliberately blurred? My friend and I thought the ending was reminiscent of resurrection (the cave, and adjacent to it, a blinding yellow light presumably from the sun) and new birth (Emma's life with Antonio). Even if you are left frustrated by not understanding exactly what is being said, it doesn't matter, and in fact, that may be the very point of the movie: to spur thinking about how a loving mother responds to her daughter's lesbianism; the nature of h omosexual, married, and adulterous love, and what emigres may give up when they leave their native homes (and in this case, even her name) behind. The photography is breathtaking (and again, symbolic: a pollinating bee juxtaposed with the lovers in their exultant passion; a Russian Orthodox dome superimposed on a Catholic Cathedral, with birds flying out of the dome into freedom; the slights endured by the younger son, and the greed behind capitalism, softened by the generosity that can often be a part of the system. One can watch this movie two ways: one, just enjoying the visual elegance and talented performances or two: entering the movie and thinking about what it all means.
Enjoyable, but at times laughable in its melodrama. Tilda is a queen, always, and irresistible to watch. Its a bit- so what, who cares at times, and at others, completely compelling. It's not a must see, but a delicious and somewhat unneeded dessert.
the press reviews below sum it up really. a powerful moving and all encompassing movie. one of those movies that leaves you thinking about it long after it has ended. and also nobody got up after the movie ended to leave. yes, that type of movie.
Did she understand when she married her husband what sort of family she was joining? She knew they were rich Italian aristocrats, operators of textile mills in Milan. But did she understand that as a wife from Russia, she would serve and provide and even be loved, but would never truly be a member?
Amid all the luxuries on display in the Italian film “I Am Love” — the chandeliers, tapestries and paneled walls, the paintings, statuary and white-gloved servants — nothing holds your gaze as forcefully as Tilda Swinton’s alabaster face.
The film is beautifully shot, with Yorick Le Saux's stunning cinematography making the most of both the gorgeous Milanese locations and the sumptuous shots of food.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 9th Sep 2010.
Release date: September 9th 2010.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
