Ich und Du

Bernarod Bertolucci's final film feels more like the movie of a younger director: it's protagonists are youthful, the budget is low and there are few special effects or tricks, the story is simple and not overcooked. But I liked this tale of a shy teenager who camps out in a basement when supposed to be going ski-ing, and who gets a shock when his troubled sister turns up. Parts of what follows are a little cliched, but the basic feel of the film imparts a sense of honesty and genuineness. I liked it a lot, although it's a long way from 'The Last Emperor' or 'Last Tango in Paris'.

I saw this film at the Rotterdam film festival 2013, within the Spectrum section. I was not thinking much of it when reading the synopsis on the festival website, imagining the confinements of the plot: watching two people in the basement, lasting nearly 2 hours. But someone else made the choice for me to book tickets anyway. I'm glad to it, and admit wholeheartedly that my prejudice was in error.

Firstly, the young actor who plays the 14-year old boy, does a formidable job. He is believable throughout as a boy who does not interact smoothly with the world, passing the day with his own solitary hobbies. Instead of going on a ski camp with his schoolmates, he dutifully prepares staying in the basement for a whole week, and takes a lot of trouble not to tell a soul about him hiding there. He wants to be left alone; that is very clear from the start.

Secondly, his unexpectedly visiting half-sister is also remarkable in how she interacts with the boy. She pressures him to allow her in while having no place else to stay. She visibly suffers a cold turkey after her heroine addiction, a painful process she has solid reasons to go through, and to come out of it clean. She wants to regain her former life as a successful photographer, and to reunite with a former friend she knew years ago. In spite of not having personal experience with recovering from a drug addiction, I have the impression that the whole painful process is shown very well. It is one of the reasons bringing brother and half-sister closer together. They do not become intimate in the literal sense (Is that a spoiler? Did you expect it?), as far as we are able to observe. In spite of their differences in age and street wiseness, a certain form of mutual understanding is definitely reached.

The story develops slowly but steadily, and has no boring moments whatsoever. Ample variety is brought in, by including a few scenes outside the basement, and other albeit short interactions with some outsiders. Another plus is that the story does not develop in the most straightforward direction. For example, there is not even a hint that one of them wants sex with the other, as would be assumed by everyone reading the synopsis. Their situation is difficult, to say the least, and discovery is always lurking around the corner.

All in all, I'm not disappointed in the end result. It may not par up with some monumental films that Bertolucci made many years ago, but can that be construed as a problem?? Casting and acting can make or break a scenario like this, in this case with great success. The story left us with an open end, but I think that there was no other way, so also not a problem. This film ended 13th (out of 178) for the audience award with an average score of 4.401 (out of 5) from 1,524 votes.

I like it. it is not a revelation/surprise/piece from Bertolucci chain. it is only a common story about family, about a meeting and refuges. and nothing more. a delicate picture about small significant things. interesting young actors and waters of a special atmosphere. realistic, gray, circle of nuances, seductive and almost real beautiful, it is a mixture of ordinary life crumbs and a strange poem. a teenager and his sister. dialogs, feelings, silences. and a Bertolucci after experiments, storms, scandal. because, after an extraordinary trip, it is time for reflection. a film like a box with surprises. first - Jacopo Olmo Antinori in a promising role. then - Tea Falco. so, it is not a bad idea to see it ! not for director or for cast. but for a meeting with art to transform in movie few common pieces from common life.

his mark defines each scene. but different by your expectations. because it has the virtue to be more than a version of others films by him. because it is not exactly a manifesto or example of fall of rules, or demonstration of sensuality. in a special sense, it is a poem. about solitude, about words, about evolution of a meet and about the reflection of the other in yourself. a boy, a girl and a basement. confessions , memories and a link who is defined by different changes. and a form of tenderness who escapes from ordinaries definitions. because nothing provocative or strange or eccentric is present. so, a special film. or, maybe, a different Bertolucci.

From one of my favourite Italian director, Bernardo Bertolucci. Everyone must appreciate his passion towards film making. While lying in a wheelchair, he accomplished the desire of his fans than trying to do for fame or break the record. After a long gap, nearly a decade later he came up with this simple but wonderful heartwarming drama about a teenager boy. It was a great comeback for the southern living legend.

'Me and you' was based on a novel which centers around 15 year-old loner, Lorenzo. To escape the associate with others he fakes his ski trip and hid in his house's basement for a week long. Soon after his half sister, Olivia, finds out who is a junkie, later she joins him. They are mismatched half siblings who never met before. During the stay they come to know each other very well leaving all the family grudges away. The first step for Lorenzo to learn to mingle with others is with his half sister and for Olivia, her half brother helps to free from the drug addict. After a week they come into the real world like a newborn butterfly from the chrysalis leaving the past behind.

It was a sweet little cast movie which most of the movie takes place in the basement. I did not get it why there's lots of dislikes of this movie. There are many things in the story to understand, you won't require a close observation to get it. I am totally surprised, is critics are that fool for not getting the movie right. Like I always say ignore the critics and decide yourself. For me it was a cute movie which made me to understand a slice of life.

Bernardo Bertolucci did all kinda experiment in his movie characters and relationship. When I saw this movie poster for the first time I thought it could be portrayal of some teenager's sexual experience like the movie 'The Reader'. But I was wrong, 'Me and you' went beyond I anticipated and became a meaningful tale of the two young people. I know the movie won't entirely satisfy for one because of a subject that won't explore in deeper, I mean in detail. But worth mentioning the performances by the lead two as well the direction of Bernardo Bertolucci Next time we hope he will make two times better than this, maybe another masterpiece.

7.5/10