Bad Tales

Bad Tales paints a unique and unsettling picture of life on the outskirts of Rome, away from the city’s grandeur and tourist attractions. Like its title, the movie narrates the bitter and disturbing tales of everyday life in an eerily ordinary suburban setting. The 2020 Italian drama film faces the dark side of human nature head-on, where everything is not as it seems and bad things happen to good people seemingly randomly. The film stars Elio Germano, Tommaso Di Cola, and Giulietta Rebeggiani.

Set in the sweltering summer of a nondescript suburban town, Bad Tales provides glimpses of the dysfunctional lives of a few families living shoulder-to-shoulder. Directed by Damiano D’Innocenzo and Fabio D’Innocenzo, who are known for their unflinching portrayal of the underbelly of society, the narrative adeptly focuses on the unremarkable, ordinary experiences from the outside, often delving into the realm of the bizarre and dark within.

Elio Germano, playing a failed writer, is at the helm of one of these families, living with an eye for the crude reality rather than the fanciful hopes of achieving success. He is father to two children, Tommaso Di Cola, and Giulietta Rebeggiani, characterized by their puberty angst and their innate sense of rebellion. Germano's character is deeply unsatisfied with his life, projecting his own frustrations, resentment, and violent tendencies onto his children. This hostile domestic environment takes a toll on the young minds, causing unusual instances, provocative actions, and uncomfortable situations.

What the directors, D'Innocenzo brothers, bring to Bad Tales is not so much a linear, plot-driven narrative, but rather a series of interconnected vignettes that collectively portray a society marred by disillusionment, unfulfilled ambitions, and an incessant need to escape reality. The sporadic stories echo a sense of intimacy while also preserving an unsettling mysteriousness about each character. Viewers are left intrigued, yearning to learn more about the seemingly mundane activities of these suburban people that often hint at deeper issues looming beneath.

Subdued hues of cinematography lend the film a peculiarly eerie outlook, gradually pulling the viewers into a universe that is as unnerving as it is real. The subtle realism is also enhanced by the nuanced performances of the leading cast. Elio Germano, Tommaso Di Cola, and Giulietta Rebeggiani create characters that are deeply flawed, strangely endearing, and most importantly, chillingly relatable.

Bad Tales beautifully balances its grim undertones with occasional bouts of black humor and grotesque absurdity, making it somewhat of a dark comedy. From marital problems to teenage anxieties, the movie adeptly intertwines threads of tragedy, comedy, and vulnerability, capturing the essence of their characters' lives.

However, what stands out in Bad Tales is its social commentary that's subtly woven into the narrative. The unfulfilled aspirations and the malignant forces within these claustrophobic suburban homes raise critical questions about modern society and its relentless pursuit of materialistic success at the cost of individual happiness and familial harmony. The children characters in the film portray the preservation of innocence and the scars of early exposure to a world that's too harsh for their fragile minds.

In conclusion, viewers embarking on the Bad Tales journey should brace themselves for an intense roller-coaster ride filled with unexpected dark twists and unique character arcs that redefine the essence of storytelling. Lauded for its genuine portrayals and compelling commentary, the film is a grim, subtly satirical take on suburban life, reminding viewers of the possible malevolent forces hiding beneath the banality and routine of everyday life. Offering a web of beautifully crafted stories, each encapsulating potent yet simple glimpses of reality, Bad Tales is a title worth exploring for any cinema enthusiast.