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

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2449 in DVD
• Released on: 2009-07-27
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Format: PAL
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 114 minutes

Synopsis
Giulio Andreotti is one of the most powerful politicians of the Italian post-war era. Twenty-two times minister; seven as head of the government, Andreotti’s life and political career have been crossed by both triumphs and scandals, with its unflappable protagonist never losing his temper or his renowned sense of irony. Director Paolo Sorrentino (THE CONSEQUENCES OF LOVE, THE FAMILY FRIEND) provides a portrayal of the adventurous and somewhat spectacular life of Giulio Andreotti, that is farcical and committed, surreal yet profound. Showing off all his visionary talent, Sorrentino builds a film that is sharply entertaining as it is thought-provoking and lush. IL DIVO won the Jury Prize at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival.

Customer Reviews

C-I-N-E-M-A.
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.

Fascinating political drama
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.

IF YOU LIKE ITALIAN MOVIES...
... Then this is for you. If not, stay well away.
Il Divo is more a master class in Italian movie making than anything else. It is a world where visual impact is everything - from stupendous scenery, fine costume, precise composition and lighting to facial expression. Movement takes second place, and running time is of no importance compared with the need to let the audience take in every detail in what seems like slow motion. Pace is sacrificed to aesthetics.
All this you will find in abundance in Il Divo. What you won't find is anything approaching a comprehensible recreation of the Andreotti years in Italy. The films opens to a veritable barrage of political name dropping, none of which made the slightest sense to me. I cannot imagine that anyone outside Italy (apart from pretentious critics) can have the foggiest idea of who's who - and things don't get any clearer as the film progresses. Indeed, after having seen the film you come out knowing no more about Andreotti than you did before you went in.
For all its artistic wizardry, this is a confusing film in which the protagonist comes out as more of a caricature than anything else - not to mention many of the supporting characters. Exactly why he is obliged to whisper a large part of his lines in barely audible Italian is beyond me. Whilst bearing a striking resemblance to the real Andreotti, his body language seems to be based on a wind-up doll.
As far as photographic artistry goes, it is indeed a visual spectacle, and for this reason merits more than 2 stars. As for the rest of the film, however, (Italian film fans excepted) 1 star would be more than generous.