Diverso da chi?

Diverso da chi? is a romantic comedy that is neither romantic nor funny. Its manic, screeching, chattering pace is exhausting and goes nowhere but around and around and around a tired old formula that was done much better seventy-five years ago during the heyday of Hollywood screwball comedies. All it adds to that formula is an appallingly moronic and insulting gay element.

The ONLY thing that makes this irritating and offensive movie worth watching is a lovely, sweet and courageously subtle (especially in this Bugs Bunny cartoon of a movie) performance by Filippo Nigro. I started watching this movie to see Luca Argentero (who was captivating in Özpetek's Saturno contro), but I stayed with it ONLY for Nigro.

I disagree that Argentero will become a big international star despite starring in movies like this. He may still, but if he wants to (and if he's smart, he doesn't, because superstardom destroys the humanity in actors) he'd better get smarter about what roles he takes. He is gorgeous for sure, but if he has talent to match his looks he doesn't show it in this turkey. He only does two expressions: confused and pouting, and only the pouting is believable.

And for such a gorgeous man, he has surprising little sexual chemistry on screen; the love scenes with both his male and female lovers are equally contrived and unconvincing. In Saturno contro, Özpetek may have brought out more than Argentero actually has inside.

True, Luca Argentero is the only reason to see this rushed, thoughtless "romantic comedy" I'm sure he's on the verge of something truly important and I, for one, wish him the best. But here, the elements were perfect for an elegant, witty comedy with topical themes and all the rest but, as it is usually the case, there is a lack of real commitment. After a very promising opening with a truly romantic kiss between Argentero and the terrific Filippo Negri, everything is down hill from there. The script needed nurturing and maturing. Claudia Gerini's character is totally unbelievable and that is a problem, a really big problem because it just doesn't let you connect. I won a bet however, I was sure Claudia Gerini was going to disrobe on the first half an hour of the film and I was right. Lovely to look at but dramatically absurd.

Overall enjoyable, but one really needs to struggle to "suspend disbelief" ...as much of the plot in the second half is rather absurd. Nothing memorable; in the end, it was a bit disappointing (something I didn't need to see).

This is an unusual Italian release. It doesn't aspire to more than what it is and what it is, is rather nice. What's good about it is mostly thanks to Luca Argentero and Filippo Negri. Argentero is rapidly becoming a big star and with reason. He has a compelling presence on the screen and you can sense a lot of room for improvement, so, I'm sure that when he meets the "right" director he will become transcendental. Filippo Negri is perfect as his loving foil and their scenes together reeked of an unexpected truth. Claudia Gerini however, more restrained than usual but not restrained enough still plays to the camera for laughs. She doesn't seem to trust her own delivery or anything about her character. The script should be applauded for so many daring things but the structure is faulty to say the least. Gerini's change of heart is far too fast, for a cunning political woman, the fastness contradicted everything about the character but, let me say, I was amused and I was taken by the intentions. Not a film by one of those unbearable "auteurs" and not a mindless Chrismas comedy either. Than in itself makes it a welcome oddity.

In the united states, it's different from whom. In italia, it's called diverso da chi? (the 2009 one!) when his friends want him to run for mayor, piero isn't sure what to think. He likes the idea, but he's gay. And the town is quite conservative. And his campaign manager samuele is a bit effeminate. And the backers want him to stop admitting that he is gay. When he teams up with adele, a candidate from another party, there's a fun comparison of gay relationships versus straight relationships. Lots of jokes. It's all done in fun. Some steamy bed time with the two of them. I guess if piero is really bisexual, or very drunk, all can be forgiven. He WAS in a relationship with another man. But if they are doing this just to appear as a couple, this brings up other issues. Who does piero want to be with? In public and in private? What will piero do? It's okay. Gotta keep in mind the mindset of the time it was made. Even today, italy still has civil unions, but not same sex marriage. Currently showing on tubi free streaming. Directed by berto carteni.