Has the reader ever been to Italy? Besides the tourist traps, has the reader actually lived life in Italy? My wife and I are Italian, living in Canada and the United States. Between the two of us, we have thousands of relatives in Italia. We found Canadians more sophisticated in their movie tastes than Americans. Especially Quebec where we live part of the time. We were not surprised when we read "confusing" in the critiques, and we actually expected it.
Europeans find Americans emotionally dull. And I'm afraid that the movie reviews testify to that. Italian/European cinematography often explores the human experience from many focal points inviting the viewer to experience the emotions it evokes, even if it is uncomfortable. In American cinematography, Americans are spoon-fed.
After the movie, my wife and I shared our experiences with the film. Who we thought was better suited for the other and why. What-ifs were asked. We commented on the scenarios throughout the film, and often, we changed our minds. We understood the film's format within the first thirty minutes and were very excited at the prospects. And because we are so familiar with life in Italy, little needed to be explained. From the start of the film, we know the doctor had an interest in Chiara, and somehow, it would weave itself into the plot. We laughed at the pizza ingredients when Giulia was announcing her pregnancy. And relished the continued change from Giulia and Chiara when the bride exited the wedding limo at the church to marry Matteo.... who was the soul mate?
Who should we marry in real life? Who is the perfect mate for you? However, few ask if you are the ideal mate for them. Why? You are afraid of the answer. And in this film.... how much truth will you share with your mate as you both view it? What if?
A brilliant film. It should be viewed with friends. Vorrei scusarmi se ho messo a disagio qualcuno con le mie critiche al cinema americano. Tuttavia, è la verità.