When her daughter’s passion splays beyond the expected, Emma Recchi (Tilda Swinton) hovers hummingbird-like. In a heartbeat, she could revert to her motherly role. Instead Swinton’s plunge into passion and sensuality reveals her parched soul in Luca Guadagnino’s breathless, primal drama I Am Love.
John Adams’ urgent, insistent soundtrack quickens as Emma’s household prepares for the birthday dinner of the family patriarch. Russian born but long ago married into the noble Milanese clan of Tancredi Recchi, Emma seems detached. She is pretty and attentive. During dinner, she listens dutifully. Her villa is run flawlessly by maids and butlers. Her grown children are beautiful and sensuous. Like any successful wife, Emma embodies the family’s soul.
The tension between old and new reveals itself early, as Edoardo Sr. announces his retirement. He leaves the family business not only to his loyal son Tancredi, but also to his idealistic grandson Edo (Flavio Parenti). Tancredi’s displeasure is evident, but Emma seems unable to comprehend such changes. She fulfills her role with grace. She seems content yet drained. As the festivities continue into the lush evening, Emma makes an excuse to go upstairs and lie down.
Sometimes our passion is right in front of us. Emma’s immersion in the fervent cuisine of Edo’s friend Antonio (Edoardo Gabbriellini) draws us with her into an out-of-body surrender to pleasure and possibility.
In terse pursuit one day, Emma follows Antonio. He spies her and invites her to his new restaurant. Here he can create flavors as nowhere else. Their sun-drenched passion soars amidst wildflower blooms and insects.
When Edoardo Sr. passes away, Tancredi quickly plans to sell off of the family’s textile mills. This will ensure spiraling profits. Edo’s angst cannot move his father. A too fresh faced advisor tells the family about its great good fortune in this new world. “It’s all in how you look at it.”
Meanwhile daughter Elisabetta (Alba Rohrwacher) revels in her relationships with women. She cuts her hair short. She loves going to art school and making new friends. Only brother Edo and mother Emma are her confidantes. Her passion is carefully hidden from the disapproving eyes of the Recchi family.
Guadagnino’s roil of upper crust passion, of old and new, spins into something remarkable. Beyond tragedy and bravery, I Am Love sails upon seas of beauty.
Swinton, who learned both Italian and Russian for this role, is voracious in a simply unforgettable final scene.
If you like I Am Love, you might enjoy: Black Swan; Wild Grass; An Education.
I Am Love 2009 / R / 2 hours
Cast Overview: Tilda Swinton, Flavio Parenti, Edoardo Gabbriellini, Alba Rohrwacher, Pippo Delbono, Diane Fleri, Maria Paiato, Marisa Berenson
Director: Luca Guadagnino
Genres: Drama, Romance, Foreign
Language: Italian with English subtitles
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