Ciao (2008)

Best movie of this year hands down!

Wow! Such a good movie.

Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.

This film is not just unique it is also very unusual in that it simply does not live up to the preconceived hype associated with films in this genre. First of all, the director's style is fantastic because unlike every director on the planet he does not move the camera. Each shot is like a still life. This probably will drive some people crazy, but I loved it. Then there is the story. You just never know what is going to happen and eventually you realize nothing does happen. In this day and age when every scene in a movie is supposed to move the story forward, this film absolutely stands still so that combined with the non moving camera the film is like a series of still photos which in itself is quite abstract and surreal. The two leads are both very handsome and very charming and engaging. But the lack of action combined with the still-life photography really gives the two leads a great deal of character and depth that you just do not see in today's films.

After three viewings (believe me, this film is so well done that repeats weren't hard to do), I'm ready to sit here and share with you.By writer / director intention, this is a "grieving film" (and you have been told, above, what it is not). So now that you know their approach in this film, ask yourself, dear reader, the following question. How shocking would it be for you to suddenly learn that, in the life of a now departed dearest friend (and unrequited love interest), there existed a far away rival for the affections you had long sought? For some of us that might be devastating. So, with this plot lead-in out of the way, what we are left with for the remainder of this film is two grieving men who have been (and are still, it seems) in love with the same man. Fate throws them together at this story's beginning, and as we watch we see "feelings" develop and grow between them. At the same time, we come to realize that until this pair truly and completely comes to terms with the event that caused them to meet, there likely will be no future together for them. (Although to me, the movie's ending gave hope that such a future might be delayed, but probably not denied).Oops, sorry about that......just watched the DVD Special Feature's Director & Writer Commentary, and these two guys seem to shoot down any intent of there being a future together for our two leads. Plus in an offsite interview, writer/actor, Allesandro Calza (a bedroom-eyed hottie, playing Italian visitor, Andrea) says about his character and that of Adam Neal Smith (starring as Dallas-based Jeff): "....they are not attracted to each other.....they don't have sex together.....I don't think they develop a romance." WOW! says this viewer. Just what is the audience to think happens after that extended kissing scene they give us to end a segment.....that when the camera pans away they'll frantically leap out of bed and run to opposite ends of the house from one another? Yeah, sure. Then, to further add to the expectations they've been building in us, at film's end we have Andrea extending an invitation to visit his country.....as all the while the two are moving into a long, body against body, arms around one another, heads on shoulders--eyes closed, farewell embrace. Such contradictory filmmaker statements about this couple's future together is certainly an unhappy note for we romantics in the audience. But always hopeful, I like to think that perhaps these two actors got together and decided to end run their bosses' intentions in the matter of down-the-road time together by giving a bit more in these two scenes than was scripted.....and that's why we actually saw what we saw (Hurray for our side!).Further adding to mention of this film's two noteworthy stars, one of the first things which hits us is the almost tangible chemistry between them. We've all heard of strangers meeting and immediately connecting, and here we sit watching an example of that occur. Before our eyes, two actors / characters begin coming together both emotionally and in the interests they share. Even more, as we witness the occasions on which this happens, there's a kind of quiet attraction that begins to pull us right into such scenes with them (thanks, in part, to frequent use of intense closeups). Speaking of the cinematography, this film, to me, contains camera-work such as you've seldom or likely not seen: extended shots with static or little movement, involving both characters and everyday scenery. This approach seemed to produce strong feelings on this seasoned viewer's part of being intimately (!) drawn into a scene.....into a moment. Yes, there are many slow moving and contemplative times (a complaint of several professional reviewers)......so, if you're looking for fast action, e.g., hot clubbing, heavy-beat music, fast fu--s in the sack, this is not a film for you. However, if you're looking for something concerning the resilience of the human spirit, and hope that the future might bring love to those who've experienced deep loss, then this is a bang-up film for you.It's been a dry two-plus years since 2007's "Shelter" and even longer since that great, little French film, "Just a Question of Love" (2000). So, am I disappointed this didn't turn out to be a romance? You bet I am! (But it'll still take a place on my "Addictives Shelf").PS--This film contains probably the sexiest, most satisfying guy / guy kiss scene in the history of romantic gay cinema.....and it's certainly the longest one. DON'T MISS IT.PPS--What's the bit with the skin tag? (DVD Commentary has no mention of it, nor of a "very, very" long distance phone call. Absolutely no details on the leads' working together---Commenters seem to have no idea what many of us out here would like to be told).

CIAO is a quiet little film - on more levels than one. The title of the movie is well chosen: 'Ciao' can mean both hello and goodbye, and that is the essence of this subtle film. Written by director Yen Tan and actor Allesandro Calza it is a very contemporary story about love and enduring feelings. The film takes its time, very literally, dwelling on still shots of doorways, paths, profiles, etc while the message of the film slowly surfaces. It is more an elegy than a story and it works quite well. We first meet Jeff (Adam Neal Smith) as he is packing up the belongings of his longtime friend Mark who has just died, and in doing so he comes across Mark's computer and discovers messages to and from an Italian man named Andrea (Alessandro Calza), messages that define an internet relationship that ends with Mark's death. Andrea doesn't know about Mark's passing and when Jeff answers one of the emails stating that Mark has died, Andrea states he is on his way to the US for a wedding and that he had planned to meet Mark face to face in Dallas. Jeff extends the invitation to keep Andrea's plans, meets him at the airport, and invites him home where a long series of talks reveal the histories of both men and reminiscences of Mark. The mutual loss - one of a friend, the other of a potential love - mix and a new friendship of understanding and caring is born. Much to the credit of the writing, directing and acting, the ending is unexpectedly real - again recalling the title of the movie. Some will find this film too slow and too 'empty', but for viewers who appreciate still life paintings and poetry, this film will satisfy. Grady Harp

This movie had such great potential - handsome leads and storyline that could have been engaging. The two actors playing the leads deserved a script that was considerably less wooden. Lingering (as in "when will something happen") shots with no point permeated this movie. Tours of the Dallas freeway system at dawn seemed to be the director's way of getting this film to something that would qualify for feature-length status. It even has a home movie within this home movie that is a musical rendering of worst kind. This is a movie that doesn't deserve community support - even in its DVD form. If you watched this film on You Tube, there would be long stretches when you think your computer has locked up because nothing is happening until you realized that the crawl bar is actually moving.