Saturno Contro (Italian) [Saturn In Opposition]

I have now seen this director's Ferzan Ozpetek few films mostly gay themed and I must say he has a penchant for telling interesting heart-felt stories. This film though does not match up to his earlier endeavors but just for the beautiful climax, I would give him 1 extra mark.

Davide,a much admired writer lives with his artist partner Lorenzo. Davide has many admirers who wish to fall under his influence as a writer and Lorenzo likewise has many friends who are devoted to him. These friends gather at the home of Davide and Lorenzo for meals, parties and celebrations. Davide's close friend Antonio is married to the beautiful Angelica who is writing a book about smoking and is not aware that her husband is having an affair with florist Laura until a mutual friend, translator Neval - caring for both friends' concerns - shares the information. The possible disastrous discovery is overshadowed by the sudden hemorrhage suffered by Lorenzo during a communal meal. Each of the friends' lives are halted while they gather at the hospital awaiting the inevitable death of their friend - each with open arms of support for Davide and each other as they find their way through dealing with the circle of life. After Lorenzo's death, Davide wants to be alone and this is when all the friends gather together at a weekend getaway to be all together despite Davide not liking it but ultimately forcing themselves on him makes all of them come closer to each other and continue with the family that Lorenzo always wanted for him and them to have.

he main problem with the film is that it introduces you to so many characters at the same time that viewer gets confused on who's who and what their relations are. For one of the characters, I realized only towards the end of the film that he was Davide's ex-boyfriend. The film is shot beautifully exactly like the director has done for some of his past films. Some scenes leave deep impression like the one when Lorenzo's father's acceptance of Davide's relationship to his son as the funeral is passing is shown. How the death of a friend brings a couple back together from a failing marriage. The acting of the main 4 characters is good but rest others are just mere fillers. When expectations are higher, the disappointment is bigger.

Could have been great but is just better than average. (6/10)