THEMOVIES

Paolo Genovese’s Perfetti Sconosciuti was screened with great success at CIFF in 2016. The film was eventually remade in at least 25 countries. Its central theme was that everyone supposedly has nothing to hide. Follemente likewise portrays a recognizable and universal theme; the voices in everyone’s head that comment on the statements or actions of others: “I shouldn’t have said or done that.” Four men and four women appear in supporting roles as the thoughts of the divorced Piero (Edoardo Leo) and the single Lara (Pilar Fogliati), who are going on a date with each other. Both are accompanied by inner voices representing romance, doubt, skepticism and reason. The supporting performances are so expressive that the bickering and emotions practically burst off the screen. This approach creates an entertaining contrast between the inner and outer worlds. It is a fine elaboration of Freud’s pleasure principle versus the reality principle. A light, enjoyable film for a relaxed afternoon or evening, in which everyone’s thoughts about their first date will undoubtedly come back to mind.