By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3.5 cats
Director: Michele Soavi
Starring: Alessio Boni | Alina Nadelea | Carlo Cecchi
Original language title: Arrivederci Amore, Ciao
Country: italy
Year: 2006
Running time: 107
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0325011/
Bruce says: “ARRIVEDERCI AMORE, CIAO has an English title, THE DEADLY KISS, that describes nothing contextual about the film, whereas the Italian title relates perfectly to the story. In THE BEST OF YOUTH Alessio Boni was extremely vulnerable and devastatingly handsome as Matteo, the ill-fated brother. Boni gets his big chance to turn on the sex appeal in ARRIVEDERCI AMORE, CIAO and, no matter what critics might say about his acting, he absolutely sizzles. Oddly, the still photos from his films have none of the allure and sexual energy he projects on screen.
“In the opening scenes, Giorgio Pellegrini (Alessio Boni) is living in South America, taking refuge. He is a Communist terrorist and is a wanted man in Italy. After he betrays and kills his best friend, he returns to Italy and turns himself in to the authorities. He serves a light, five year sentence as his reward. After he serves his time, he gets a job as a bouncer at the Blue Sky sex club. His job expands and he is asked to collect debts. One of the customers has a wife, Flora (Isabella Ferrari) who owns a shoe store. Giorgio goes to the store to collect on her husband’s debt and opts for sexual favors in lieu of ready cash. Flora agrees to a quick screw, no kissing. Giorgio sets the record straight by saying, ‘We’re going to smooch like teenagers,’ as he begins toying with her lower lip. Flora may despise him but she can’t resist him.
“Giorgio is trying to regain stature. Italian penal code specifies rules for rehabilitation which, in short, means becoming respectable. The most interesting aspect of ARRIVEDERCI AMORE, CIAO is how corruption is depicted. In Italy corruption has no blacks and whites – right and wrong are subtle and shaded. Furthermore we come to realize that Italian duplicity is as subtly shaded as its corruption. And both are expected. No shocks, no surprises. The judge supervising the rehabilitation thinks that Giorgio’s reputation would be enhanced by marrying a girl from a good family. He opens his own restaurant and meets Roberta, the perfect candidate. Soon they are living together and life is blissful. But not for long. An unscrupulous cop (Carlo Cecchi) enlists Giorgio as a hit man. When Giorgio’s fiancee (Alina Nadelea) suspects something is going on, Giorgio must make some tough decisions.
“When asked by the Carbinari, ‘Swear you’re no longer a communist,’ Giorgio replies ‘I’m an honest person like everyone else. I was young. I wanted to change the world.’ In another film, one might be moved by such a moment. Here one can only grimace, hoping to suppress inappropriate laughter. Wait a minute, this film is Italian. Don’t take it so seriously. Those are funny lines. 3.5 cats”
:ARRIVEDERCI AMORE, CIAO was shown as part of the OPEN ROADS: NEW ITALIAN CINEMA festival at Lincoln Center.”