- Italian Man's Best Friend
Film: SALT OF LIFE (Gianni e le Donne)
UK Release Date: 12th August 2011
Year: 2011
Director: G
Bonus: Q & A with director / co-writer / actor Gianni Di Gregorio
Venue: Curzon, Mayfair
Cast:
Gianni Di Gregorio
Valeria de Franciscis Bendoni
Alfonso Santagata
Elisabetta Piccolomini
Valeria Cavalli
Alyn Prandi
Kristina Cepraga
Michelangelo Ciminale
Teresa Di Gregorio
Lilia Silvi
Gabriella Sborgi
Laura Squizzato
Silvia Squizzato
Further Info:
UK PREMIERE
Distributed by Artificial Eye
Official Site: http://www.artificial-eye.com
Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/ArtificialEye
- This Is No Asterix
I had a decision. A film or a farewell meal for a friend. I must add that this friend was having many a farewell do and this was almost 'just another one'.
It turned out though, that after half-cancelling my acquired place at this Premiere screening I could now in fact attend both the movie and the meal.
It was going to be tight but I knew I could do both of the events. So, I proceeded to head to the Curzon, Mayfair. It was now a case of a Cancelled and Re-Claimed prize... Indeed, would a seat be there with my name on it, or not? It was there... In fact, I was ultimately informed that I could sit anywhere inside the auditorium.
- "Seen it... Seen it... Seen it..."
But until such time, I was seated in the bar and reception area of this fine establishment. I was a tad excited to see such a movie - but one I knew little about. Whilst there I witnessed many an Italian person arrive [obviously], as well as English and a fidgety old woman who appeared to have lost something. Or her mind... Bless her.
I can't say that the staff behind the bar were stupid, or clever but I'm sure I heard one of the guys tell a customer that "Salt Of Life" is an animated film. Really? Solely based on the animated poster? Silly man, although perhaps I'm also that man, as I believed him! [So much so that when the film later begun I thought it was perhaps going to transition away from live action to animation - This would then be in line both with it's movie poster and a film still, or two I'd seen previously on the Curzon website: http://www.curzoncinemas.com]
Ultimately, I placed myself in the front row of what is, incidentally the best Curzon screen I've experienced. However, this was too close really - Especially for some of the early shaky camera work. Of course, it was also great to be fully immersed in the proceedings.
- A Salty Reception
This being the UK Premiere & Preview, director Gianni Di Gregorio introduced the film and explained, with the aid of a translator that he made it at a certain age when he realised women had stopped looking at him.
Without further a do, and spoiling as little as possible I'll describe this movie to you.
Here we have a middle aged man and a much older woman, clearly his mother. They appear to be speaking with a lawyer or more so probably an executor [that's the pronounciation as in law not in executing in the form of killing!]
It's clear from early on that this man is a little low and frustrated at this time in his life. Is this all there is? Whatever happened? Where has gone his ability to attract - or even attempt to attract - women? Has it dwindled so much that some kind of analogy to a motor or mechanical part is required here? Yes. This is later, and more than once reflected in such a broken down vehicle. It's fair to say that this vehicle keeps having the same problem. Hmmm...
- My Kind O' Party...
So, what does a guy do in such a pickle? He surely doesn't want to become 'just one the many' old guys out there, doing the same old thing, day after day. Such a character is shown which could demonstrate this monotonousness - this character is a guy who has trousers & hat which match in colour... And so matches his dog! [In colour, I mean... It's not a trousers-and-hat-wearing dog! Come on, this film is lighthearted enough but not over the top!]
Dogs feature semi-heavily in this movie... And I'm in no way meaning the derogitory word for women (or men to come to think of it). No. We see a few different breeds of our four-legged friends. A great example of two such pets is shown not long into the story. Our protagonist is seen walking more than one such pet - much to the amusement of one girl seated behind me.
Our hero is naturally facing a midlife or latelife crisis. This is reflected greatly in many scenes, whether looking in the mirror, chatting to his best male friend, spending time with his much-demanding mother or taking a walk almost alongside a load of young female joggers.
- A Walk In The Park... Or A Jog...
Cherries are used in a great filmic way. Are these suggesting popping someone's cherry, cherry-picking a fruit of his own choice, or simply indicating that he is not taking a second bite of the cherry? [...like so many other men at his age, either in the movie or in real life...]
Indeed, had this film been made a couple of decades ago it could have been named "Men on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown"...!
"What about the women?", I hear you cry. Apart from some lovely females, including twins, a party-loving youngster, and a practising soprano we have the oldies. Although, one or two of the old women in the movie could be said to resemble men, except with a tad too much make-up. Surely not just my opinion here?
- Love Thy Neighbourhood...?
And what kind of modern film would this be without the mention or hint of Viagra? In fact, an almost too-brilliant-to-be-considered-coincidental moment comes along, giving a knew meaning to someone who has got 'the horn'.
Sex. Drugs. Drugs? Yes. Drugs (both sexual and recreational), a pixies tune & gambling all feature half-heavily in this sublime picture. As do images [and memories, in my case anyway] of Rome.
Just when you wonder how the film will end, and as it approaches it's modest and moderately lengthed run time, it hits you like a beautiful thunderbolt of euphoric lightning.
- Up-Staged At Q & A? I Wouldn't Know... This Was Before The Film, Not After...
I couldn't stay for the Q & A [I later heard it was wonderful] with the Italian director-slash-writer-slash-star.
So, Goodbye it was to this Salty Italian classic and onwards to say Farewell to a friend (leaving for Shanghai) over a Salty Chinese meal.
Find this trailer and other Minier [ok, that's not a real word, but...] Movies here at:
http://www.youtube.com/miniminimovie
...:
[youtube=http://youtu.be/DXb0YqOxgLE]
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