Review of I Am Love (2010) by Kuowei L — 20 Jul 2010

Thank goodness Tilda Swinton has already won an Oscar, because if she hasn't yet, she really should get one for this film. Not only did she have to learn to speak Italian in this film, but she spoke Italian WITH an Russian accent (and some Russian too!). Swinton also gets to convey a multitude of emotions without much dialogue, and you now exactly how she is feeling at any moment. She's phenomenal.

The film itself is ripe melodrama set against a most sumptuous looking Italian aristocratic backdrop, with interludes of the rustic countryside. Outfits were designed by Fendi and Jil Sanders, so the chic value is really through the roof here. But much style is really nothing without substance, and although this material has been explored somewhat by Louis Malle's Damage between Jeremy Irons and Juliette Binoche, it's still has an emotional pull, due to the wonderful cast, which also includes the return of 70's icon Marisa Berenson (Cabaret), who stands in as the grand-matriarch of the family textile empire. She's provides the sophistication that looms over the film, although her super botoxed face and major collagen injection is a bit distracting at times. :P.