OUR HOUSE
** out of *****

Reviewed by Root

Screening in the 12th Cathay Pacific Italian Film Festival
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Genres
Drama

2006
Directed by
Francesca Comencini
Written by
Francesca Comencini
Franco Bernini
Cast
Valeria Golino - Rita
Luca Zingaretti - Ugo
Laura Chiatti - Elodie
Giuseppe Battiston - Otello

When I read the blurb for this film, I was expecting a stylish Italian film noir. Sadly, while the film had its moments, it didn’t quite deliver on its potential.

Set in Milan, the film follows the lives of several people, all seemingly unconnected until events bring them together. The film does provide some outstanding performances notably Luca Zingaretti’s portrayal of the crooked banker who takes on the tax department in an elaborate money making scheme that sees him controlling politicians and judges alike. Always impeccably dressed, he comes across calculating and ruthless, and the scene where he forces himself on his mistress while he breaks up with her is both vicious and detached; as he establishes his dominance over her before discarding her without regret.

While the other performances are all credible, the film seems to lose something in translation to English subtitles (a couple of times during the film it is obvious that the subtitle could not fully represent what was said) and I found myself wondering what message the director was trying to convey. The film meanders to its climax, where the main characters are all brought together in the final scene, but there is no triumph in sight. None of the characters are spared an unpleasant conclusion, and if the film has a moral, it is possibly that in Italy as it is presented, there are no winners.

To be fair to the film, I got the impression that knowledge of either the Italian language or current affairs from Italy would have improved the experience. I came away thinking I had sat through a film that had nuance a little below the surface, but without the tools to tap into it, the overall experience was a little flat.

This film will screen in Wellington at The Paramount on October 20th at 6:15pm and on the 22nd at 4:00pm.

Please refer to the homepage for the fesatival fpr more information on screenings in other parts of the country.