by Nigel Hicks
Worth: $17.00
FilmInk rates movies out of $20 — the score indicates the amount we believe a ticket to the movie to be worth
Cast:
Pilar Fogliati, Adriano Giannini, Valeria Golino
Intro:
... an enjoyable and intelligent ride ...
Gorgeous Lea (Pilar Fogliati) is unhappy in her marriage and once a week ventures out in search of adventure. She charms happily married Rocco (Adriano Giannini) at a bar, but he denies her advances. When she appears outside his office one day, they retreat to a hotel and begin an affair. Rocco seems conflicted but enjoys the amorous attention. As the affair continues, red flags appear, such as when Lea asks Rocco to take her back to his home when his psychoanalyst wife Cecilia (Valeria Golino) is away. Curiously, Rocco obliges.
Speaking of red flags … Lea leaves traces of her presence in Rocco’s home, accuses her actor husband Andrea (Andrea Carpenzano) of affairs with his co-stars, and becomes Cecilia’s client unbeknownst to Rocco. She is seemingly obsessed with Rocco and moving pieces around the board.
Just when you feel resigned that this is just a predictable spiral of ruined lives, the masterful writing kicks in. Everything changes. It’s such a subtle moment, impeccably delivered. What could have been a routine twist is expertly crafted by writer (TV series Gomorrah) and first time director Ludovica Rampoldi.
While the adultery theme could have been dark and heavy, it’s kept light, with moments of humour such as the pitfalls of keeping an ant colony at home. Additionally, the intimacy in the film is tender rather than graphic. And the music is a light touch; unimposing yet fitting. This is no Fatal Attraction.
The main characters are well developed, and although some of Rocco’s decisions are questionable, it is layered with themes of midlife crisis. Fogliati (Somebody to Love) gives an impressive performance as Lea – seemingly obsessive but ultimately understandable.
A Brief Affair is an enjoyable and intelligent ride, paid off by the third act. While there are sad realities that come from affairs, this is not a heavy or emotional film; it neither glosses over or overindulges the reality. And even though the ending seems a little unrealistic, the storm that goes before it blows away any need for more.
