Latin Lover

Latin Lover is an Italian ensemble comedy-drama film from 2015, directed by Christina Comencini and featuring a stellar cast that includes acting legends such as Virna Lisi, Marisa Paredes, and Angela Finocchiaro. The film debuted in the main competition section at the Turin Film Festival and also competed in the Golden Goblet Awards at the 18th Shanghai International Film Festival.

Unconventional in its narrative, Latin Lover delves into the lives of liberally-minded women and their connection to a shared past. The title of the film might lead to preconceived notions of it being a romantic comedy, however, it is a thoughtful drama centered around the memory of Saverio Crispo, a fictitious yet iconic Italian film star of yore, reminiscent of the great Latin Lover archetype from European cinema.

The movie begins ten years after the death of Saverio Crispo, a man of charisma and magnetism who was at the pinnacle of his stardom, not just in his home country of Italy, but around the world. The man, having had the reputation of a Casanova, was known for his many tumultuous romantic affairs, causing a storm of controversy and drama matching the intensity of his grand on-screen performances.

He left behind an interesting mix of offspring, each born to different mothers hailing from different countries including France, Italy, Spain, and Sweden. These complicated relationships are the centerpiece of the film, providing the emotional depth and interpersonal dynamics that drive the story forward. Virna Lisi, in her final role before her death, plays a former co-star and one-time lover of Saverio, adding another layer to the already twisted and intricate narrative.

These five daughters, the main protagonists of the story, played by a talented array of actresses including Valeria Bruni Tedeschi, Candela Peña, and Nadeah Miranda, gather in the small picturesque town in Puglia, Italy, to commemorate the tenth anniversary of their father's death. They are a diverse group of women – each portraying a different persona, yet united by the shared lineage of their famous father.

While discussing their individual memories of him and comparing their experiences, they also engage in unraveling the truth about their father, a man known for his charm, enigma, and misdemeanors. Throughout the movie, Saverio remains a spectral figure, appearing in scenes from his old movies and in the reminiscences of his children and former lovers.

Latin Lover skillfully intertwines whimsical moments with the complexity of familial relationships—the varying degrees of resentments, secrets, rivalries, and ultimately, love. The film places a high emphasis on the women’s perspective, analyzing their feelings and exploring the mysteries of their shared past deeply embedded in their collective consciousness.

The storytelling incorporates elements of meta cinema, i.e., the film within a film concept, giving sardonic nods to the golden days of Italian cinema and its opulent vintage charm while fleshing out the dynamic character of Saverio Crispo. The narrative also cleaves the Italian community's scenic tranquility, giving a glimpse into the lives led there.

The glamorous sisters, despite their personal differences, stand together as the narrative unfolds, resulting in an engaging study of womanhood and family. Marisa Paredes, Angela Finocchiaro, along with the rest of the cast lend a great amount of authenticity to this compelling narrative, their nuanced performances invoking a strong empathy for their characters.

Christina Comencini masterfully melds the themes of familial bonds, sisterhood, the charm and trouble of stardom, and the idiosyncrasies of multiple cultures together, knitting a narrative that's both engaging and thought-provoking. By balancing humor and drama with aesthetically pleasing visuals, she brings out the picturesque charm of the Italian countryside while the narrative scrutinizes the impact of larger-than-life personalities on their progeny and their struggle to reconcile with such a complex inheritance.

Latin Lover is more than a slice of life narrative; it's a pool of memories and emotions, an intimate look into relationships, and an examination of the concept of family. The film, even as it revels in cinematic spectacle and the allure of moviemaking history, delivers a heartfelt human story at its core. The result is a film that's both an ode to the golden age of Italian cinema and a lighter yet meaningful exploration of complex human emotions.