"You must demand to live in a better world...
Don't be content to merely survive."
The warm colors, lovely performances, textured
messages and thoughtful ideas that are layered
throughout Ferzan Ozpetek's 'Facing Windows'
will make you cherish cinema just a little bit
more than you already do. It's a romantic
treasure about unrequited love, familial
responsibility, sexual longing and following the
path in life that makes you happiest. The notion
that you can really love someone else only when
you've learned to love yourself may be a
familiar one, but it is nice to be reminded
every now and then. 'Facing Windows' is about
all those things and the realization that the
memories of those who truly touch our hearts can
inspire us to live better lives.
Giovanna (Giovanna Mezzogiorno) and her husband
Filippo (Filippo Nigro) have settled into life.
They both have jobs that make them unhappy. She
works as an accountant. He works the graveyard
shift because he is too weak to ask his boss for
a daytime slot. They argue about money, sex,
time and work... There is a subtle sense that
this is a marriage whose love is dwindling fast.
Perhaps they are only going through the motions
for the sake of their kids.
One morning, the two of them are walking home
and cross paths with an elderly man (Massimo
Girotti). He is utterly disoriented and has lost
his memory. And despite Giovanna's protests,
Filippo brings him back to their home for the
night so that he can take him to the police the
next morning in the hopes of unraveling the
mystery. As complications ensue, that one night
stretches to a few days. The old man experiences
strange episodes, flashbacks of sorts, that
reveal clues to his mysterious past. His actions
lead to a meeting between Giovanna and Lorenzo
(Raoul Bova). Lorenzo lives across the street
from Giovanna and their apartment windows face
each other. The sexual tension between the two
is quite palpable as they have both been
secretly watching and lusting after each other
from their dimly lit windows.
Giovanna and Lorenzo's instant friendship
swiftly moves to flirtation and then to a
passionate kiss. However, Lorenzo's job is
transferring him to another city very soon and
Giovanna is put in an awkward spot having to
make a very quick decision. Her heart tells her
she should act on her feelings. Her mind tells
her to be responsible. Nevertheless, the two of
them puzzle over the mystery of the old man as
they try to come to terms with their feelings
for one another.
The beauty of this film is the way in which it
balances many layers of story and character.
Everyone in the film has something interesting
happening in their lives and it all seems to
revolve around the influence of the old man.
These days, we are lucky if films give us one
thing to think about, let alone many things.
'Facing Windows' (aka La Finestra di Fronte) is
delightfully stimulating for both mind and
heart.
I have to point out the performances in this
film. 'Facing Windows' swept the David di
Donatello Awards (Italian Oscars) for good
reason. The film is brilliant but the
performances are spectacular. Giovanna
Mezzogiorno has vaulted straight to the top of
my list of favorite actresses with her role here
and in 2002's lovely film 'The Last Kiss'
(L'Ultimo Bacio). She is the most dramatic
actress I think I have ever seen, able to
combine genuine fragility with a toughness and
intensity that will give you goose-bumps. She
has the most cinematically beautiful face I
think I've seen and a talent that is remarkably
rare. In just two films, she has earned my trust
entirely... I will be first in line to see
anything else she does.
Massimo Girotti is equally powerful as the
mysterious old man. He is able to convey every
necessary emotion in this tricky role. This was
to be Girotti's final role before passing in
2003. It is a performance you won't soon forget.
Raoul Bova and Filippo Nigro are great in the
secondary roles and round out one of the best
ensemble casts of 2004.
'Facing Windows' is one of those aesthetically
marvelous Italian films that sounds as great as
it looks. It is fun and surprising,
unpredictable and touching. Giovanna Mezzogiorno
is a special actress who is fast becoming one of
Europe's biggest stars. You will be seeing a lot
more from her in the next two decades. I cannot
recommend a film much more than this one.
I highly recommend you seek this film out in
theatres because it can take forever for these
foreign gems to hit DVD (Sometimes up to 2
years). 'Facing Windows' will vie for a slot in
my year end top ten list and deserves your time
and money. Make an effort to find this great
Italian film!
©
Written by TC Candler
Richard
Propes' Comment
TC has said
it beautifully here, and it's nearly impossible
to watch this film without falling madly in love
with Mezzogiorno. I still get chills every time
I read the quote TC uses to start his review.
Jacob
Hall's Comment
N/A
