Pure melodrama but I loved every minute. This film is more like a modern day opera without the music. Tilda Swinton is the film. She is magnificent. She wears her costumes so beautifully. She walks and moves with such grace. She can look beautiful one minute and tormented the next. Tilda Swinton plays the part of Emma Recchi, a very wealthy lady, living in Milan. She lives with her rich husband who is head of an art restoring business. They have a daughter who is a lesbian and a very handsome son who is in the family business. The family appears to be very close and always is together for family meals.
They live in a villa that is splendid. I adored the family scenes in the dining room. It was such fun to watch 14 people sitting around the table being served like royalty. The staff is enormous and the formal serving is very regal. The dishes and crystal were splendid. The stairway is enormous with a giant hanging chandelier.
Emma was originally from Russia but never went back after her marriage. Her husband is obviously good to her in material things but there is no warmth. Emma is searching for something even though she is surrounded with the best of everything.
The handsome son brings home a good looking young man who is a chef. It may not be believable but Emma finds something is missing in her life and she is infatuated with this chef. There is some insinuation that Eduardo, the son, also has feelings for his friend the chef.
Emma goes to his small quarters and the two make magnificent love in his crowded messy quarters. They also experience the beauty of nature around them and are full of love.
A family tragedy breaks up the family and Emma has to leave all her material things behind.
The setting is pure opera. The villa is magnificent. In one scene Eduordo, the son, goes to London on business. He meets a wealthy man in an office that was the size of a baseball field.
The camera loves to slowly move around the countryside. The lens may loom in on a flower or an insect. At times the view of Milan is shown through a cloudy lens. The view is in a grey, black and white and it appears as if you are looking through a haze. It is very artistic.
At times the music is melodramatic. I did expect them to break into an aria but that never happened.
This is a melodrama from beginning to end. Tilda Swinton carries the film totally. The other actors also perform well .I found it totally satisfying. The cinematography is extremely well done. This is a satisfying film on many levels.
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