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Directed by Maria Tognazzi
There’s a lot of sex in the opening scenes of this Italian film, as Roberto (Pierfrancesco Favino) and Sara (Kseniya Rappoport) are in love. But when they’ve had the romantic walks, loving looks and a fair amount of sex, it is time for one of them to move on. In this case, it is Sara who leaves a devastated Roberto to fall into the depths of depression and spend a lot of time stalking and pleading to be loved again. Roberto also spends a considerable amount of time with his gay brother Carlo (Michele Alhaique) whose relationship with student Yuri (Glen Blackhall) seems ideal, and by the end of the film, Roberto has fallen in love again, this time with Alba (Monica Belluci).
Unfortunately, sometimes even the most successful relationships end suddenly and without warning … for the one who is jilted at least. I’m not too sure who the female director had in mind with the title – The Man Who Loves. Maybe she is including all three men or both the brothers or just Carlo whose selfless (or stupid) love emerges towards the end of the film. Director Maria Tognazzi does manage to capture the fickleness of attraction and rejection, and the hypocrisy and absolute selfishness of those who fall in and out of love. As Roberto and Carlo’s father says, ‘When you fall in love with someone, you must put your life in their hands.’ The Italians do tragedy really well.
The Man Who Loves screens as part of the 10th annual Italian Film Festival. Look on www.lunapalace.com.au for details of the films that will screen at Cinema Paradiso and Luna on SX from 15-29 October and remember to book tickets to the opening night well in advance as it always sells out. The closing night film is La Dolce Vita.
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