Review of Il Divo (2008) by Maruschka T — 25 Jan 2009

Il Divo depicts with the most admirable subtlety, sharpness and sarcasm the controversial, narcissistic and ambiguous personality of Giulio Andreotti. After "L'uomo in piu" and "Amico di famiglia", Paolo Sorrentino comes back with the infinitely complex portrait of the biggest contemporary italian political legend, almost choreographing him through the frames, the lights and the music in the most skillful cinematographical grace.

As a documentary on the italian history of the last 50 years the movie offers very little as it is basically an intelligent collection and combination of famous quotations and patches of known historic events superficially presented. But as a chronicle on the apathy of political consciousness it is ultimately puzzling and a master piece of the contemporary italian cinema. Paolo Sorrentino overcame himself, while Toni Servillo's breathtaking acting is worth the movie alone.