The Place

How far will you go to get the things you desire? Is there any limit at all?

Another creative writing from Paolo Genovese, the director of Perfect Strangers (Post #38 on Zoetrope360, Instagram). This movie is thought provoking as it explores the dark side of us, what are we willing to do to get the things we want.

The entire movie happens within a cafe, The Place. It's like reading a book, you visualize the things happening outside based on what people interact in the cafe.

The film keeps you engaged from the start, and leaves plenty to think about when it's over. And yet it is neither preachy nor pretentious. It starts off as a film about the things people would be prepared to do in order to achieve their dreams, but it moves on to other themes, such as what you think you need vs. what you really need, being able to live with oneself having achieved something through trickery and evil deeds, or good outcomes eventually arising from people's intentions to actually do bad things. The film does not involve action, it is based around dialogue. But rest assured, it will never bore you, and it will keep introducing twists that will keep you engaged and constantly guessing what will happen next.

From a first minute this movie holds all your attention. So unusual plot makes watch until the end no special effects or changing scenery. All actions takes place in cafe, but thanks to characters with their stories you moving to different places as an observer. Many different people come in this cafe for get what you want but in exchange they have to do strange task. Will they be able to make a deal with their principles? We have the opportunity to observe the internal struggle and the consequences of their choice. And the way of their life cross making the plot even more confusing.

The Place is a vivid example of why European cinema will always be relevant. A simple tie is maximum, all the actions of the film take place in one place. Ordinary actors (perhaps in Italy they are known, but I only know Marco Giallini). And dialogues. The whole film rests on them. They are as simple as possible - everything is shot in a regular eight. Nice simple chamber story.

General impression: The movie starts in one place and ends with the very same place. The movie doesn't take us anywhere. Everything happens here and now. But despite the fact that there are no changing locations or special effects, I didn't take my eyes off the screen for a single minute, I was so immersed in the fascinating and interactive process. We are introduced to a man who sits in a cafe all the time, doesn't go anywhere, but people come to him and ask him to fulfill their desires, it could be anything: pregnancy, love, money, women, etc. But the stranger is not ready to just fulfill any coming request. To make their wish come true, each of the guests is asked to perform unusual tasks. The more difficult it is to fulfill this dream, the higher the price. Each of the heroes must make their own choice - how far are they willing to go in order to get what they want.