I Am Love - 2010

I Am Love is another film which reinforces the notion that Italian cinema is experiencing something of a resugence at the moment. Following such wonderful films as Gommorah and Il Divo, I Am Love continues to push forward with a new breed of great Italian filmmakers. The film centres on the lives of wealthy aristocratic family the Recchis'. Opening on the birthday party of the father (Edoardo) of the family, who announces his retirement from the family business leaving it to his son (Tancredi) and his grandson (Edo), proclaiming it will take two men to follow in his footsteps, the film goes on to chart the individual lives of the family; focuses mainly on Emma, wife of Tancredi. Its a sign of Edoardo's and the Recchi's arrogance and grandiose self image that he believes it would take two men to carry on the business. This arrogance is echoed in the news that the Grandson Edo has finished 2nd in a race earlier in the day. Something unheard of in the Recchi family. The winner of that race; a chef Antonio; someone lacking the elegant grandeur of the family becomes the man who eventually penetrates the family and leads to the breaking down on the unit. Firstly, at the impetus of Edo, they embark on a plan to open a restaurant in a secluded country spot hours away from civilisation. During his burgeoning friendship with the Edo he comes more and more into contact with Edo's Mother Emma, who as the story unfolds is revealed to be a Russian,  and seems somewhat out of place in this world. Tilda Swinton's wonderfully understated performance of a woman tied to a family and its rituals, wanting to break free. The first sign of this arrives when she tries Antonio's food; an orgasmic release of emotion previously unseen in the film.
Gradually Emma embarks on a dangerous affair with Antonio which threatens to tear the family apart.
The film is shot in beautifully subdued tones, the film shot almost entirely using natural light. This gives the film a certain quality as though there is a darkness, a secretive nature to not just the characters but also the family. Later when Emma embarks on her affair, we get the golden hues on the countryside which feels refreshing and like a breakthrough from the dark, drab life she inhabits in the family home.
The main problem with the film is its inability to draw me in to the lives of those of the family. I felt very little emotional connection to any of the characters and the film became more a cerebral than emotional experience, but a very good one at that.