Just so...so bad

There is just so much movie here. For some it may be too much. But in the same secretly sarcastic way most telemarketers say the phrase, the title of this one is particularly apt.

A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.

A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

Completely so-so. Some parts are nice - music, Alessio Boni, who just CAN'T play bad. But other parts are very strange: it seems that the director himself treated that film non-seriously. Night life, memories about South America, blood, some dialogues - are artificial and lifeless, grotesque. They seem unnatural, although all thoughts of main hero are interesting (perhaps, they were taken strait from the novel). So the serious and even tragic film begin to have some unexpected comic connotation: really, I couldn't help laughing than watching all this "night club things". Feelings of main hero wasn't shown: I see a girl, I want a girl (which is completely normal), but I do not want to sleep with her, I want her to love me (why? of course, the hero has some reason, but nobody show us what it is). Very strange feeling...

I am surprised to find such negative comments. The film is one of the best noir films ever made in Italy. Alessio Boni is, as usual, perfect (he was great in La meglio gioventù, but here his performance is outstanding). The director added some ideas that are not in the novel, but the added element fit the plot perfectly. All in all, it's as good as Carlotto's slim novel, and that is probably the best book Carlotto ever wrote. I reckon both Soavi and Boni understood that the trick was the way the protagonist was portrayed: a poisonous snake with a charming appearance. An apparently nice guy who is actually a nasty thug, only interested in money, power--also with a sadistic streak. Not the usual character in Italian cinema, but they managed to make it believable. The final scene, with the protagonist watching the girl's agony is absolutely perfect. There you fully realize what sort of a man he really is. And then you begin to wonder what sort of a world is that which accepts him so readily... which is probably the real point that both the novel and the film want to make.

it's a very great movie. it isn't a typical Italian movie: the screenplay was made by a series of professional writer. You aren't able to understand what will be in the next scene. Movie move on very fast. Also actors was very good. especially Giorgio, the protagonist, is unconventional character: he was a fighter with the dream of revolution, but for him only things important from the beginning to the end of the movie is his freedom, for which he is read to make everything. the co-protagonist have a wonderful smile, is very sweet and pure and falls in love with Giorgio completely.is adorable. there are various sequence of action and Italian and international locations: south America, Paris, Milan, and a series of small Italian town. finally scenes are totally shocked. the director isn't new to great movie , even if his usually work for television drama.music of author is rocking, and soundtrack contains tracks with the same name of movie's title.

I had the opportunity to see this film during the New Line Italian Cinema Festival at Lincoln Center over the summer.I loved the storyline and acting. The music was fabulous too.All the actors were great. Especially Alessio Boni. He is such a "gem". If only he could come to the US and be the next international star. The range of his acting is monumental. I have had the chance to see his acting in previous films which has made me hooked ever since. On another note, I did not read the book but after viewing the film, it made me want to run to the nearest Barnes and Nobles and purchase it and also look forward to buying the DVD when it hits the United States.