“A FEAST OF LOVE”
Starring: Tilda Swinton, Edoardo Gabbriellini, Flavio Parenti and Pippo Delbono
Directed by: Luca Guadagnino
MPAA Rating: R for sexuality and nudity
Genres: Art/Foreign, Drama and Romance, Italian with subtitles
Running Time: 2 hrs
Distributors: Magnolia Pictures
By John Delia
Here’s a gem of a film filled with love, deception and honor coated with extremely good acting, impeccable direction and picturesque cinematography. I Am Love captivated me quickly, held my attention through to its startling ending. If you like romance novels with a twist, I Am Love is sure to please you.
The wealthy Recchi family lives are in the state of change. On the night of the family patriarch’s birthday, Eduardo Sr, he turns the company over to his son Tancredi (Pippo Delbono) and grandson Edo (Flavio Parenti) showing his love for both. This complicates things as Edo has plans to become a restaurant owner with his friend Antonio (Edoardo Gabbriellini). Emma (Tilda Swinton), Tancredi’s wife and mother of Edo, is surprised at the move but not overly disappointed. When she gets introduced to Antonio he emits a amorous spark to her mostly mundane life. When they take it further, things start to get passionate leading to complications that will damage the family forever.
I love the acting in this film and especially the trio of Swinton, Gabbriellini and Parenti who breathe life into their characters making them real. The sweeping romance between Antonio and Emma is so burning it comes off the screen with amazing passion. This coupled with the evocative friendship that has kindled between Antonio and Edo makes for an intriguing triangle.
The filmmaking by writer director Luca Guadagnino is top drawer reminiscent of the films of James Ivory (Howard’s End, The Remains of the Day, A Room With A
View) that infuse keen acting with amazing cinematography. The two-hour film movies along quickly, his scenes are enamoring and the story leads to an unpredictable twist.
I Am Love is rated R for sexuality and nudity all nicely filmed showing the passionate interludes between Antonio and Emma. Although the film plays best to women, men should enjoy the relationships between each of the family members and the sweeping views of Italy through amazing cinematic eyes.
FINAL ANALYSIS:Â The return of passionate romance to the screen. (5 of 5)