Linbeymusol Wonderful character development!

Hulkeasexo it is the rare 'crazy' movie that actually has something to say.

Hattie I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

Gary The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

Sherazade This movie was quite depressing but also well written and well acted. The subject matter is not for everyone, especially those who are offended by cruelty towards women in real life and on film. But all that aside, if you can stomach it, it's a really good watch. The story centers around Italia(Penelope Cruz) a peasant with a dark secret and the perverted doctor Timoteo(Sergio Castellitto, who also directs) whom she crosses paths with. I've been catching up on Penelope Cruz's earlier work lately and the verdict is that she is one of those rare actresses who can pull off any role. A true actor. She's like the Spanish Kate Winslet.

raymond-15 Sergio Castellito directed and played the leading role as Timoteo, a surgeon of repute in a big Italian hospital . Timiteo had a beautiful wife, a well-paid job and an exceptional home by the sea, but unfortunately the man's brains were between his legs. How else could he risk everything for a waif he raped in a rundown part of the town? For me the character was beyond belief. And as for Italia the victim (Penelepe Cruz), poor she might be but the make-up artists really did make a mess of her face when attempting to give her a pitiful emaciated expression. Even a poverty stricken person can find a plastic comb to comb her hair.Although I am critical of the script, the acting was great. Timoteo with his hidden secret of irresistible attraction towards Italia tried to cover up his back street sexual conquests with lies about urgent work at the hospital. His wife Elsa (Claudia Gerini) seemed aware that something was going on. Her expressive eyes said a lot as she questioned her husband about the hospital, the conference and the quality of his bedroom at the venue.The blossoming of love between Timoteo and his lover was too much for me to accept. Italia with a new wardrobe and complete makeover became a most beautiful woman. There was a suggestion of "Pygmalion" here.I object to these urinary scenes which seem to have crept into films in the last decade. Are they used to add a touch of realism or what? In one scene Timoteo opens his fly and sprays the balcony window boxes. In another scene Elsa goes to the bathroom leaving the door open and we see her seated and then drying herself with a toilet tissue. Let's have some privacy please! Editing room please note! On the credit side there is some excellent photography. The shot from above the street where the accident occurred and the many scenes of incessant rain were great. As for the woman seated on a chair in the rain and observed by Timoteo from his window, this really puzzled me. May be it was a figment of Timoteo's imagination.Cheating on partners is by no means a new theme in films. One tends therefore to make comparisons. In my opinion I preferred "Unfaithful" in which a housewife adds excitement to her life with secretive visits to a handsome bookseller. "Unfaithful" was a better script in my opinion.

wrlang Created by an obviously talented group of film makers and actors, it is a chic flic from the male perspective. I had to remind myself that this film is not subject to American cultural norms. I started out disgusted with the main character Timoteo (Castellitto) and un-accepting of the reality of the relationships between the characters, mistress Italia (Cruz) and wife Elsa (Gerini). The amazing lack of dialog from the wife, who obviously knows about the mistress and says everything with her mannerisms and eyes rather than the traditional lame dialog filled with anger and tearful ultimatums. A similar performance from the mistress that leaves unspoken the hopefulness that cannot detour the obvious path the relationship is taking. The emotionless beginning builds constantly through the film until the crescendo ending. Very well done.

D A Emotionally intense movie handled unflinchingly by lead actor Castellitto. This immersive character study into an unfulfilled doctor's love affair is a tad too lengthy and perhaps the director indulges in his on screen action a little too much, but the dedication that the two ill-fated lovers give to portraying the rawness of their emotions and instincts will, despite once in a while misfiring, leave few viewers unfazed. Penelope Cruz is great as the counterpoint, and deserves much respect for assuming such a demanding, unglamorous role at this point in her well established career. Obviously it is the love of acting that propels her(no comparison to her English jobs), as this mildly received Italian film must have been several notches down from her draw, but when you see the psychologically harrowing sex scenes (not always for the sex, but for the right before and right after) you realize why someone would be interested in such intimate work. As the film slightly overextends itself to reach it's climax which sort of dumbs down it's poignant theme, the performances and overall taste left are nonetheless real and life affirming despite all of it's muddied ramifications.