Review of I Am Love (2010) by Ceph J — 25 Oct 2010

The say "the way to a man's heart is through his meal." This movie proves that the way to an Italian aristocrat's wife is through a catered meal. Not just a one-night stand but a full-blown affair that ends in tragedy and loss of privilege. Join the struggles of the hoi polloi, we have to suffer. Having both wealth and passionate "I Am Love" aren't compatible.

The movie is sumptuous with cinematography, costume, art direction, and set designs. It's like admiring a gorgeous painting but there's no emotional investment in the characters. Even an erotic sex scene between Tilda Swinton (as the wife) and Edoardo Gabbriellini (as the chef) is interpersed with some gorgeous photography of nature--bees polliinating and wind-swept grass. It's a painting and the characters are just dots in the painting.

Tilda Swinton is known as an independent queen. But, she has made some big-budget movies notably "Michael Clayton" which she earned her a best supporting actress. Here, she returns to her independent roots and looks beautiful. I can't think of another actress who gives her soul for acting and is not shy about nude scenes. She might be the most interesting performer here but can't save this one from ennui.