MovieChat Forums > Io sono l'amore (2010) Discussion > Luminous, Devastating, Mesmerizing

Luminous, Devastating, Mesmerizing

posted 14 years ago by film_ophile
8 replies | jump to latest

I hope you will take a look at the short perfect review by Joshua Dysart, currently the second review seen above. In just a few sentences, he says it all.

In my 45 years of film fanaticism, I have rarely felt this affected by a film.
The Conformist, when I was 19. Sophie's Choice. Amores Perros.Memento. Magnolia. A totally absorbing piece of art. Barely able to get up out of my chair.

Some vocal naysayers on IMDB which really surprises me, mostly because I can't figure out what would draw them to see this film in the first place. The professional film critics seem to react very positively, which is great.Perhaps this is one of those artistic experiences that most people either love or hate, with few shades of grey.

btw, if you do not like this film, please go play on the other threads where you will be with likeminded viewers.Let a positive thread be for the positive viewers. Thanks.

The way to have what we want
Is to share what we have.

[–] JSFound 14 years ago

Pretty much agree with you. I've also noticed that people either fall in complete love with this picture or just hate it. There seems to be no like or decent or fine. Which is what a work of art should do: inspire passion, both positive or negative. I think that the reactions say this is not a typical film. So the 11 years Swinton, the writers and the director worked on this masterpiece were well spent. I'm hoping the movie gets nominated for a Best Picture Oscar next year, and Swinton gets a Best Actress nom.

[–] film_ophile 14 years ago

wouldn't that be just too good to be true?!i certainly agree and will be wishing along with you.

The way to have what we want
Is to share what we have.

[–] wait_dream 14 years ago

The person I went with said she liked, not loved, it. Perhaps she was saying that to placate me. I think there are a few who find the movie well done, but are turned off by the extreme melodrama and occasional slowness. (I was entirely mesmerized.) Otherwise, there do seem to be extreme reactions.

[–] vanderveldenton 14 years ago

This is the first film I ever went to see more than 4 times in my long life (7 times at the moment), as there is always something new to see and the music (which of course I bought) is a first liking for me of modern classical music (being mainly a Mahler and Händel fan). So much attention to art, fashion, architecture.
Makes me rush off to Milan to go see that museum (Villa Necchi Campiglio) that they used as the Recchi villa.
And me too will be very happy to see this get Oscars.
Can't wait for the DVD (available in Italian already) but I fear it will not have a commentary track or many extras.

[–] Keely 9 years ago

vander, i hope you have found the DVD by now because it has extensive extras, including interviews with almost all the key cast members and a commentary with the director & Tilda Swinton, which I am about to watch. I know I'm coming rather late to the party but I was very affected & impressed by I Am Love. I think the problems people seem to have with it are tied to to the fact that many, many people can't stand any movie that doesn't make a clear-cut or obvious judgment about who's the hero and who's the villain, or what's right and what's wrong. This movie explores those issues in a beautiful and evocative and thought-provoking way.

[–] bmw2009 14 years ago

I can most definitely see how this movie is either 'Love it" or 'Hate it'. I personally found it mesmerizing. I got totally absorbed into the storyline and Emma's plight. There are some who will probably say that there is not a redeemable character in this movie, but I disagree. Emma was trapped in a life she didn't fully realize she was unhappy with until something unexpected came along and changed everything, be it for the better or the worse. There are countless movies about affairs out there, but this movie shows the human side. A sumptuous, artistic tour-de-force.

[–] jcnsoflorida 14 years ago

Well, I think the naysayers have a right to their opinion. I Am Love is rather polarizing. But I come down on the side of those who love it and consider it a masterpiece. The story is driven by the improbable. The ending is so jarring and intense because Emma's action is ... unexpected. People don't generally walk out on such extreme wealth and privilege, which BTW was lovingly depicted. The bourgeois radicalism seems particularly European.

[–] prplayer 9 years ago

i don't fall in either group, i thought it was mostly ok but nothing special 6/10

miss Swinton's subtle performance is certainly one of the plus points of this movie, i also loved the scenery of Italy

so many movies, so little time