In my opinion the best foreign film to make it to the US this year is the Italian film I Am Love. In case you didn’t see the film, you can watch a preview here. Writer/Director Luca Guadagnino does an amazing job at building a love story within a privileged Milan family. At moments it feels very much like an Alfred Hitchcock film but with more fashion sense and less murder.
Tilda Swinton portrays the film’s female protagonist quietly and gently. She plays the role so softly that she seems like an ingénue who will never get the man; only to find out she’s the center of the love triangle. There are also two hot male stars in the film – Flavio Parenti plays Recchi Junior, and Edoardo Gabbriellini plays the lover of mama Recchi. If that weren’t enough, the music, lighting, and cinematography draw you in and have you fighting for your life along with the characters.
But the star of the film without a doubt is the creative direction. The costumes in the film, done by Fendi, were a major influence on the Paris Fall fashion shows as chronicled in this NPR story. And I was a fan of the vintage art deco house that much of the film takes place in. The long lingering shots feature everything in a magical golden light, giving the film a crisp, but somehow still dreamy quality.
I’ll warn you that the story is weak, but the visual feast more than makes up for it. Please go and see if for me if not for yourself.
