Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product details
|
Reviews
Product Description
The new film from Paolo Sorrentino, the acclaimed director of The Consequences of Love and The Family Friend, is a riveting talk of political intrigue and organised crime, based n the extraordinary life of Guilio Andreotti. Italian Prime Minister no less than seven times, Andreotti s long career was dogged by persistent accusations of conspiracy, Mafia connections and state-sponsored terror. Epic in scope and featuring a commanding performance from Toni Servillo (Gomorrah) as the chillingly enigmatic Andreotti, this compelling and visually dazzling film explores the labyrinthine political machinations and shady criminal underworld surrounding this fascinating and controversial figure. Special Features: The making of Il Divo, Additional Interviews with director Paolo Sorrentino, Special effects featurette, Deleted scenes, Theatrical trailer
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The most beguiling film I've seen in a long time, Il Divo is a riot of cinematic technique, a breathless sugar-rush of pure style. Whip-pans and fast cuts one moment, slo-mo operatic action the next. From the surreal shots of a politician skidding child-like across a marble floor to the macabre scenes of the central character creeping round and round his house like Nosferatu - and not forgetting an employment of soundtrack and sound effects that puts peak-form Tarantino in the shade - this bold picture is (all guns) blazing with energy.
Your response to the film will have a lot to do with your approach to cinema. I'm reminded of the review panel who discussed this movie on BBC's Newsnight. They complained that it was difficult to follow the plot and it was too confusing as a lesson in Italian political history, though as an aside they admitted it was terrific cinematically. For me, that relegation of the cinematic experience to a secondary concern says it all. If you want to learn about the facts read a book, if you love cinema, definitely get hold of this film. I'm not saying it's like some sort of shallow advert, it's fascinating as an abstract portrait of power in an unfamiliar (to me) country and a fantastic primer to make you interested in finding out more about the period and events. It's just not a cut and dried briefing document that will furnish you with a simple education.
I would contrast this film to the recent Red Army Faction film The Baader-Meinhof Complex. The German movie presents you with a linear cause-and-effect narrative plotting the formation, actions of and destruction of the R.A.F. I came away feeling like I had learned a lot about the group but feeling subdued, bored, less interested than when I had gone in: the film was flat, lifeless, seemed over-long. Despite glamorous production values, lots of action and good-looking actors etc, The Baader-Meinhof Complex is really just a straight historical reconstruction, only of interest to those who don't know much about that gang and is only a one-watcher. Il Divo on the other hand, is a film that I imagine would be an exhilarating experience whether you know nothing about the subject matter or whether you are an expert on Italian politics or for everyone in between - provided you believe in Cinema. It feels to me like something that will still be a great movie 30 years down the line.
Your response to the film will have a lot to do with your approach to cinema. I'm reminded of the review panel who discussed this movie on BBC's Newsnight. They complained that it was difficult to follow the plot and it was too confusing as a lesson in Italian political history, though as an aside they admitted it was terrific cinematically. For me, that relegation of the cinematic experience to a secondary concern says it all. If you want to learn about the facts read a book, if you love cinema, definitely get hold of this film. I'm not saying it's like some sort of shallow advert, it's fascinating as an abstract portrait of power in an unfamiliar (to me) country and a fantastic primer to make you interested in finding out more about the period and events. It's just not a cut and dried briefing document that will furnish you with a simple education.
I would contrast this film to the recent Red Army Faction film The Baader-Meinhof Complex. The German movie presents you with a linear cause-and-effect narrative plotting the formation, actions of and destruction of the R.A.F. I came away feeling like I had learned a lot about the group but feeling subdued, bored, less interested than when I had gone in: the film was flat, lifeless, seemed over-long. Despite glamorous production values, lots of action and good-looking actors etc, The Baader-Meinhof Complex is really just a straight historical reconstruction, only of interest to those who don't know much about that gang and is only a one-watcher. Il Divo on the other hand, is a film that I imagine would be an exhilarating experience whether you know nothing about the subject matter or whether you are an expert on Italian politics or for everyone in between - provided you believe in Cinema. It feels to me like something that will still be a great movie 30 years down the line.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I went to see this last week at the Picture House in Hebden Bridge and found it to be a fascinating film, not quite what I was expecting. The trailer seemed to focus on the Mafia connections to politics and I was expecting more of an action movie. This film, however, was subtle in every way and in some places the 'action' was down played. The acting was excellent from all the cast (can't think of one poor performance) and as always with Italian films, the music was great - a real mix of genres.
At the start you are given an Italian Glossary - all the nicknames of political characters and organisations that feature in the film. My heart sank as I'm not good with names at the best of times, but I needn't have worried because the use of this shorthand was limited.
My friend commented that it took some concentration to read fast flowing subtitles (thankfully in large font) whilst watching occasionally quick changing imagery all of which is essential to the plot at that point of the film, so perhaps not a film to watch when you've had a heavy week at work.
At the start you are given an Italian Glossary - all the nicknames of political characters and organisations that feature in the film. My heart sank as I'm not good with names at the best of times, but I needn't have worried because the use of this shorthand was limited.
My friend commented that it took some concentration to read fast flowing subtitles (thankfully in large font) whilst watching occasionally quick changing imagery all of which is essential to the plot at that point of the film, so perhaps not a film to watch when you've had a heavy week at work.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
"Il Divo," (2008), is an Italian-language film, written and directed by Paolo Sorrentino. It is a biographical drama about the life of Italian Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti, who had been elected to the Italian Parliament seven times since its establishment in 1946, and was ultimately declared a senator for life. It stars Toni Servillo in the title role. "Il divo" means the maestro, or master, in Italian, and is generally used in a musical sense, but this is apparently what people call the uber-powerful Andreotti, who was rumored to have connections with the Mafia, and to the murder, by the Red Brigade, of former Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro. Many people believe Andreotti, who is thought to be a member of P2, the powerful, illegal Italian Masonic lodge, also had a hand in the possible 1978 murder of Pope John Paul I, and the murders of Cardinal Paul Marcinkus, of Chicago, and banker Roberto Calvi, all to do with the Vatican's corrupt Banco Ambrosiano that apparently lost Mafia money.
Servillo does an excellent job of giving us a thoroughly unattractive, evil politician; the character actors who play the supporting parts around him are excellent, as well; and the film does, of course, have subtitles, though I suspect most English speakers will have trouble, even so, with all those Italian names. The settings, whether interiors, or around Rome, are well-done, and there's been no stinting on cars, extras, etc. The script is witty, and wise. However, director Sorrentino perhaps mistrusted his material, as he has chosen to fool around with flashbacks and flash-forwards; to me, this just made the movie even more difficult to follow. And be warned, the film features a lot of blood and death, if that upsets you. Yet, it's also got some marvelously surrealistic scenes, as those of a cat with two different colored eyes wandering the Quirino, the historic Senate building. Undoubtedly, though, it will be a more satisfying experience for those with some familiarity with the language and history of Italy.
Servillo does an excellent job of giving us a thoroughly unattractive, evil politician; the character actors who play the supporting parts around him are excellent, as well; and the film does, of course, have subtitles, though I suspect most English speakers will have trouble, even so, with all those Italian names. The settings, whether interiors, or around Rome, are well-done, and there's been no stinting on cars, extras, etc. The script is witty, and wise. However, director Sorrentino perhaps mistrusted his material, as he has chosen to fool around with flashbacks and flash-forwards; to me, this just made the movie even more difficult to follow. And be warned, the film features a lot of blood and death, if that upsets you. Yet, it's also got some marvelously surrealistic scenes, as those of a cat with two different colored eyes wandering the Quirino, the historic Senate building. Undoubtedly, though, it will be a more satisfying experience for those with some familiarity with the language and history of Italy.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
A Political Biopic with a real difference...
Whether or not you appreciate the masterful, almost flashy direction, it certainly turns what could be an absolute dirge of a political lecture into a cinematic tour de force. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Tim Kidner
Brilliant
Superb cinema. Very interesting. Made me want to research more.Best film I have seen in a while, since City of God I think. Read more
Published 5 months ago by B J M
Stylish Political Drama
Having been a fan of Paulo Sorrentino's earlier films, The Consequences of Love and (slightly less so) A Family Friend, this is his very stylish take on the political 'career' of... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Keith M
Accomplished portrait of soullessness?
As at least one other reviewer has previously said, this is a highly impressive cinematic achievement from a technical point of view. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Spailpin Fanach
A film with style, but the man is left as an enigma
A rich visual experience, enhanced by the music soundtrack, well worth watching as an exercise in cinematography. Read more
Published 18 months ago by David
A `Citizen Kane' for the 21st Century
For me this film has little to do with the recent spate of left-wing terrorist interest and more to do with a study of power and how fickle power is. Read more
Published on 27 April 2010 by Denis Joe
Not what I was expecting
I must admit that I had high hopes for this - I enjoyed reading about Italian politics and the mafia, and with the critics' plaudits, I thought this film would be a real... Read more
Published on 12 Mar 2010 by Nemesis 77
Il Divo review
Il Divo film.
Film could have been made better ALL round!, l mean how story is told which is in a very softly low voice, for the hard of hearing and non is hard to hear so... Read more
Film could have been made better ALL round!, l mean how story is told which is in a very softly low voice, for the hard of hearing and non is hard to hear so... Read more
Published on 5 Mar 2010 by Enzo
Great film, even better performance
Hadn't seen anything by Sorrentino, or with Servillo, before... and count me impressed. The camera work, editing, music, sound, casting, and sets were all first class, but it is... Read more
Published on 21 Feb 2010 by G. Bradley
A film that benefits from several viewings
A film that focuses solely on one of modern Italy's most enigmatic politicians but only a small part of that life, from when his seventh premiership started through to when that... Read more
Published on 4 Jan 2010 by Siriam
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
