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Each performance has a staggering sense of depth, as if we are watching people who have deep secrets that guide their every word and action. And they're so rich that they feel untouchable. Rongione is terrific at the centre as a brilliant man on a voyage into a seriously evil world. And this extends to his relationship with Ines, whom Cleu plays as fiercely intelligent, never missing a thing, ready to give Yvan a nudge with a vicious verbal jab. The supporting cast members play a fascinating range of characters, each with his or her own rippling impact.

The film is expertly shot and edited to reveal telling details in each scene, with dialog that drops continual bombs. The imagery and themes echo Conrad's classic Heart of Darkness as Yvan voyages into true horror. This is an astonishingly sure-footed depiction of the point where politicians and bankers collide and collude, encircled by the super-rich class they are determined to join. It's about a sinister battle, based on greed, that undermines the foundations of society.

themes, language

31.Jan.22

While Gomez has the unflashy role as the sullen Moi, the actor finds glimmers of spark inside. Much more bubbly, Sagardov's sexually fluid Biel is trying to keep everyone's spirits up, even as he can't escape his concern for Moi's state of mind. And Cusi's Mia is more outgoing and straightforward, speaking matter-of-factly even as she understands Moi's haunted reactions. And then there's Manjon's bullish Mikel, who arrives battered from a road accident and projects macho energy in every direction.

The story never quite shifts into full speed, coasting along through scenes that bristle with raw emotion. This is a film about the unexpected, indefinable nature of human connections, as each person is surprised by their interaction with the others, bringing up old feelings and finding new ones. All four of these characters are stuck in the past, trying to move forward based on the way the world used to be. Then after some uneven pacing, the film takes a couple of dark, sometimes shocking turns in the final act.

themes, language, violence, sexuality

31.Jan.22

Performances are grounded and naturalistic, never playing up the emotions that run through their interaction. Padukone and Chaturvedi manage to keep Alisha and Zain sympathetic, even though they are constantly lying to their friends and partners. But their connection feels very real, and adds a layer of engagement into various situations as they struggle with their inner demons. Panday and Karwa are also excellent as Tia and Karan, genuinely nice people caught up in their partners' various messes.

Because it goes on so long, the film makes an intriguing premise feel somewhat overwrought, stretching out the big dramatic moments. This is a story about people who get in over their heads, both by staying in a relationship for the wrong reason and by allowing that inner moral compass to shift perilously. A slippery slope of transgressions adds a strongly cautionary angle to the script, almost shifting it into a melodramatic thriller in the hugely emotive final act. Thankfully, there's an extended cathartic epilogue.

themes, language, violence

10.Feb.22