L'amore molesto (1995)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Mario Martone

Writers:

Elena Ferrante (novel)
Mario Martone (writer)

Release Date:

12 April 1995 (Italy)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

When her elderly mother dies - apparently happy but in curious circumstances - her daughter travels home to Naples for the funeral...

Plot Keywords:

Based On Novel

Awards:

4 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Anna Bonaiuto	...	Delia
Angela Luce	...	Amalia
Gianni Cajafa	...	Uncle Filippo
Peppe Lanzetta	...	Antonio
Licia Maglietta	...	Young Amalia
Anna Calato	...	Signora De Riso
Italo Celoro	...	Delia's Father
Carmela Pecoraro	...	Delia, as a child
Giovanni Viglietti	...	Caserta
Lina Polito	...	Rosaria, Delia's Sister
Enzo De Caro	...	Caserta in Flashbacks
Francesco Paolantoni	...	Uncle Filippo in Flashbacks
Piero Tassitano	...	Legal Doctor
Marita D'Elia	...	Wanda Delia's Sister
Sabina Cangiano	...	Shop Assistant

Also Known As:

Nasty Love (USA)

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Certification:

Finland:K-12 | Hong Kong:III | Portugal:M/12 (video premiere)

Filming Locations:

Naples, Campania, Italy

Company:

Lucky Red

Soundtrack:

Dicintecello vuje

Mysterious oddity and a gem !

I hope that after reading this review, more people will find this strange and fascinating film and enjoy it as much as I did. I was becoming despondent with Italian cinema, especially after the highly overrated Cinema Paradiso, a film which made Italian life look so romantic and cute. Quo Vadis? looked promising but what a bland and lifeless and highly unlikely experience that was. But then we have this film, L'amore Molesto. I'll admit I had to see it twice to fully understand what had gone before, but its well worth it and I noticed things I hadn't seen before. Delia receives a series of strange and unsettling phone calls from her elderly mother one night and then she turns up drowned and wearing only a sexy red bra. Strange choice for an elderly lady. While attending the funeral, Delia decides to investigate. This is not so much a whodunnit but a why and how kind of mystery. As she digs deeper into the heart of the city, she starts to recall her past. A past filled with violence and abuse and therein lies the key to this mystery. I liken the mystery of this film to being led down a dark spiral staircase led by hand by a stranger. Its that kind of film. The lead actress who plays Delia is stunning. Rather plain looking but intelligent and mature and having to put up with men. These are Italian men of course. The city of Naples is very important here. I would say its one of the lead characters in the film. Dark corners, winding streets with gates that are locked. Shadows and strange characters here and there. The expression on Delias face in the closing scene will leave you very satisfied and will linger in your mind for some time afterwards. Although not explicitly sexual or violent, I would not recommend this for kids or immature audiences. This is a sophisticated adult mystery which is dark, mysterious and full bodied, like a glass of red wine. Enjoy