EVERYTHING CHANGES BUT CHANGE ITSELF Heraclitus
A relaxing opening scene of two attractive young men lying on the grass under a blue sky, smoking and enjoying each other, in a matter of seconds turns into a nightmare because of homophobia and the bullying of a group of aggressive men. The drama goes on in a crescendo up to the end.
The chemistry between the leading actors Riccardo – Riki (Michele Costabile) and Luca (Jacopo Costantini ) their powerful performances, the magistral camera work with immersive close takes, the music by Teho Teardo, and the photography by Alessandro Branca, configure a harmonious whole that provides a sad portrait of two men in love, and the influence on them after their dysfunctional families in the Italian city of Milano, that may be any other city in the world, since hatred and intolerance are everywhere.
After an infamous incident, Luca is at the hospital in an induced coma and his family does not allow Riccardo to come and visit (Luca´s mother thinks Riccardo is a pervert who seduced his son), to the extreme they do not give him even the name of the clinic. Rachele, Luca´s sister, is the only way Riccardo has to get news from his beloved, and the news is not good news.
The narrative of the film goes linear alternating with flashbacks in an excellent editing work. Effective takes of the two men in intimate moments cut to Riki, alone, longing for his significant, his mother, or Luca´s family at the hospital. Through the flashbacks, we, voyeurs, are allowed to share Riccardo and Luca´s intimacy, and some aspects of their relationship, and learn about their family stories too. Both men wonder to get old together but in the meantime, regrets afloat. We are observers of dark shadows that come from the past, terrible repressed feelings surface, and revelations are made.
A poignant depiction of love, parenthood, motherhood, family, indifference, regret, abuse, guilt, trauma, and an overwhelming finale. The film will certainly not leave you indifferent.
Written and directed by Pasquale Marrazzo the film will be released In theaters, on digital and on DVD this June 2023
Review by José Mayorga , Guatemala, Central America lawyer and notary public, visual artist, and editor of El Azar Cultural, lives and works in Guatemala City. Cinema lover, curious about the possibilities life brings and eager to live the experience.
Labels: 2023, Alessandro Branca, Jacopo Costantini, Michele Costabile, Pasquale Marrazzo, Teho Teardo, The Neighbor
