Il Divo

In life Guilio Andreotti was an enigma. More precisely, a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. Outwardly the most unassuming of persons, diminutive, quiet and complacent. In his obituary the Economist called him “The Keeper of Secrets” and a “Sphinx.” What did he know? According to this movie, quite a lot, maybe too much. He was apparently the puppet-master behind every major scandal or political killing in late 20th Century Italy, including the assassination of Aldo Moro.A movie treatment of such a character could have easily failed due to the extreme blandness of the main protagonist. This movie does not. Il Divo (“the divine”) is the best political drama to come out in many years. It convincingly and dramatically portrays not only the sinister, secretive psyche of Andreotti, but engagingly shows the Byzantine, labyrinthine, raucous, rough and tumble nature of Italian politics, where alliances and allegiances are made and broken by the minute, and shows the complex relationships Andreotti carried out in his personal and political cohorts life. It also successfully shows how amid the chaos and uproar, Andreotti always emerged unscathed, even when he was tried for murder. The Teflon Prime Minister.It is also a portrait of a tortured soul. Andreotti in life suffered from migraines all his professional political career. His placid external, calm demeanor and whispering voice was due no doubt that if he were to spoke too loud he would fall apart. That persona betrayed the horrorshow that lurked below. The film implies, but does not actually posit, that these migraines were the result of the tremendous conflict and pressure of being a part of so many sordid political adventures.There is a definite surrealistic feel to this movie, a fitting complement to the character it portrays. (A possible spoiler): Andreotti apparently resorted to acupuncture treatments to treat his migraines. In the very beginning of the film the camera freezes on the face of Andreotti, his face full of needles.This very first scene sets the tone of the entire movie. The soundtrack vacillates between pop songs and eerie tonal ambient pieces, which is entirely consistent with Andreotti’s creepy visage.The movie succeeds so well because director Sorrentino has skillfully chosen to employ both documentary-like features and dramatic portrayal to the story of Guilio Andreotti. The docu-drama features of this movie feeding the audience with intermittent banners telling the story of those associated with Andreotti is absolutely necessary. Of all of the political leaders of Western Europe, Andreotti was perhaps the most unfamiliar. He attended along with the other leaders whenever a G7 Conference was convened. But he was also the most unnoticeable among the politicians, and almost always the most diminutive figure. President Clinton and ValeryGistard D’Estaing, both of whom are tall people, towered over him.Most do not know of him, and don’t know of him still, and this is the way he would have wanted it. You’ll get the complete picture when seeing this movie.

Amazingly quotable and had me looking up this history of this man’s deeds (or misdeeds) during his time in power. Very intelligently written and acted

This movie is brilliant in every aspect - acting, casting , direction, script writing, scenery - and is extremely absorbing. It is about a former Prime Minister of Italy who may (or may not) have had his faults. The Director of the movie puts a hit on the former PM, which may (or may not) be justified. The movie appears to be historically correct - if suspicions can be counted as facts. The politician is brought to trial a number of times but is always acquitted - to the fury of people like the Director of the movie. The movie is witty, even funny - if you have no political opinions. This reviewer found it to be continually entertaining. It is definitely worth buying and saving.

This movie is about a notion of power---Catholic and authoritarian embodied in the most famous Primer Minister of Italy until the 1990s. The exercise of political power is exposed in all its ugliness, alliances, betrayals, contradictions, unjustice. Power as it were capable of existing without the people's legitimacy. Power as a game played at the highest spheres of Italian politics that after all only concerns the political caste. Prostitutes, dancers, and feathers are the background to a party where important things are still being decided while a young mulatto woman sensually dances or sings in the background.If you follow Italian politics, this is a penetrating analysis of an Italian political figure that sheds light on the nature of Italian politics themselves. That is, it goes beyond the psedo biographical.It is an outstanding job that makes you feel like there is hope for Italian cinema after Fellini.

I was delighted with Il Divo. A very interesting movie on Italian politics. A decent job on the transfer and sound to Blu-Ray. No regrets!

The film has all the elements which few years later made the director Paolo Sorrentino the winner of the Golden Globe and the Oscar for The Great Beauty (La grande belezza). Great screenplay, exceptional cinematography,interesting mixture of documentary style and highly stylized, almost Greek drama makes this political film totally contemporary and universal.Tony Servillo - possibly the best actor in Italy and one of the best in the world makes his character - the Prime Minister of Italy Giulio Andreotti - mysterious, dangerous and in the same time a tragic figure.

A brilliant film based on the complex and enigmatic character of Andreotti, and Italy itself. The Italian political scene during the Christian Democrats' reign was rife with clientelism, corruption and terrorism. Servillo's portrait of Andreotti is appropriately ambiguous and opaque. The primary strength of this film is Sorrentino's masterful direction, settings, framing, film composition and montage. Plus, any film that can successfully incorporate Trio's 'da da da' into a soundtrack predominately composed of classical music deserves commendation. Bravo!!!

I agree about the load of information, etc., but the movie itself holds many pleasures. Tino Silvetto is just bizarre as Angeotti, sort of a cross between 'Nosferatu' and a very large spider. Who knows how 'accurate' his portrayal might be? But as an 'opera' it is fascinating ... I plan on buying a copy, as well as one of 'Bellezza', which is a treasure, albeit a rather bitter one. Glorious soundtrack too.

Fascinating yet tedious film. Great film making in terms of a character who is so allusive. Tedious at times for the viewer who has no background in Italian politics during that era. The director is able to keep you interested much more than the character deserves being he is such a recluse. The film's ending is slightly disappointing for you expect the many elements and events of the protagonist to compound or montage in a final dramatic way. As in 'The Great Beauty' the actor Toni Servillo is captivating without being overly expressive. In the Extras the interview with the director Paolo Sorrentino is insightful concerning the political state of Italy during that era and might be worth watching before seeing the film.

Just does not seem have "Life" bit so so I could recommend it, really just seems like some thing is missing ,Can not put my finger on it???

Thanks

Malheureusement, il n'était pas compatible avec ma région. Mon lecteur DVD n'a pu le lire.

Purchased by mistake, we watched this movie intrigued by the cover and the synopsis on the back. Perhaps if one was an Italian national this movie would have meaning, but to us, in the rest of the world this movie was a painful, boring train wreck with no redeeming qualities of any kind.