And They Call It Summer

And They Call It Summer is an Italian drama film directed by Paolo Franchi, which premiered at the International Rome Film Festival in 2012. The film stars notable actors Jean-Marc Barr, Isabella Ferrari, and Filippo Nigro in the lead roles. Central themes of this intriguing drama romance include passion, guilt, self-discovery, and the complex interplay of human desires and relationships.

Jean-Marc Barr, known for his memorable performances in international cinema, plays the central character, Dino. Dino is a successful man leading a seemingly normal life with his wife Anna, played by the charming Isabella Ferrari. They live in a beautiful home and to the outside world, Dino and Anna lead a life many would envy.

However, as is often the case, things are not what they seem from the surface. Dino struggles with a unique psychological condition that is gradually revealed throughout the film. This condition directly affects his relationship with Anna, creating a tension that drives a significant portion of the narrative. Hidden beneath his successful and normal facade, Dino has a secret life and, trapped within his torturous emotional landscape, struggles to understand and control his aberrant desires.

Isabella Ferrari portrays Anna with great depth and sensitivity, presenting a nuanced portrayal of a woman trapped in a loveless marriage and fighting to comprehend her husband's behavior. Despite Dino's coldness and emotional distance, Anna continues to love him, displaying moments of hope and desperation that make her character both compelling and heartbreaking. The character of Anna embodies the struggle those who are in love with complicated personalities often face, attempting to reconcile love with a harsh reality.

Dino's best friend, played by Filippo Nigro, also plays a crucial role in the film offering him support and advice throughout the complicated plot. Filled with absolutely riveting performances by the lead actors, the film paints a realistic and sometimes bleak representation of the complexities of relationships, the human psyche, and the effects of social norms and astigmatism on individual behavior.

The movie expertly manipulates suspense and curiosity, as it gradually peels back the layers of its characters, maintaining a gripping narrative from beginning to end. The non-linear storytelling, and the sometimes surrealist direction, serve to further highlight the film’s overall themes of introspection, shame, and moral conflict.

Set in modern Italy, And They Call It Summer is also a visual treat. The camera lovingly captures the picturesque streets, gorgeous architecture, and everyday life of Italy juxtaposed with the stark personal and emotional upheavals the characters experience. The contradiction between the beauty of the city and the darkness of the character's inner life creates an atmospheric tension.

In addition to the strong performances, the film also features impressive cinematography and an evocative musical score that help create the perfect backdrop and mood for the unraveling drama.

The film received mixed reviews upon its release. While some found the themes and characters too complex and disquieting, others praised it for daring to delve into territories not ordinarily explored with such depth in cinema. The film's bold narrative style and candid exploration of unconventional aspects of human desire resulted in offering a challenging but compelling viewing experience for the audience. The performances by the central trio, particularly Ferrari, received widespread acclaim.

Overall, And They Call It Summer is a distinctive and thought-provoking film that explores the complexities and contradictions of human desire and relationships. It's a film that promises to linger in your thoughts long after the end credits roll, urging you to reflect on the taboos and complexities that lie beneath seemingly normal exteriors in our society.

This intense, emotionally charged drama is a must-watch for those who appreciate nuanced character studies and narratives that challenge traditional norms and expectations. It's a film that serves as a platform for outstanding performances and as a testament to the powerful potential of cinema to explore deep, introspective themes about human nature and relationships.