Giorni

"Giorni" presents an intriguing premise in that it takes the side of a patient infected with the HIV virus that encounters love and a kind of happiness with another person that is afflicted with it. While some comments in this forum express opinions about how depressing the whole thing is, we hate to differ. There are indications that Claudio, who loved Andrea, finds himself at the end in a positive way and that he is changed for the best.

This Italian film, directed by Laura Muscardin, presents a sobering aspect of people living with the virus. In fact, we would even go to the extent to say it's a frank and sincere effort about people that live with HIV. These individuals suddenly see how slim their chances are to lead a somewhat normal life in a loving relationship.

Claudio's relationship with Dario is a thing of the past, as the movie starts. He is seen taking the cocktail of medicines that are keeping him alive. When the sincere Andrea appears in the picture, Claudio is taken aback by the way he feels about this stranger that genuinely cares for him. Claudio, in fact, while loving Andrea, is surprised by the way the other man has transformed him for the best.

The performance of Riccardo Salerno, who plays Andrea, is in sharp contrast with the intensity Thomas Trabacchi's Claudio. Both these actors make a pair of credible lovers who, although doomed from the start, still take a chance by loving one another. The Andrea of Mr. Salerno speaks volumes, as he convinces the viewer about his love for Claudio. Mr. Salerno's take on his character endears himself to us because one realizes he is the real thing. Mr. Trabacchi has more opportunities to shine, yet, it's the kind Andrea who stays in one's mind.

The film is a serious attempt by the director, Laura Muscardin, to inject intelligence into the relationship between Claudio and Andrea.

I agree with who found this to be a true to life representation about living and loving with HIV/AIDS. I have seen no other film to date in which the day to day struggles of maintaining an HIV positive individual's health, adhering to a burdensome medical regiment and the various psychological battles involved in doing so is as well expressed. Claudio's hope for and despair of finding understanding and love, and his many unexpected losses and rewards are portrayed with the empathy of someone who has obviously seen the battle up close. It is a very interesting movie and it contains truths that anyone who has made this journey, either with loved ones or themselves, will surely recognize and appreciate.

I regret that I do not speak Italian because I believe there is a wealth of subtle texture I'm missing by viewing the dubbed version of Giorni. However, despite the language barrier I found this to be a true to life representation about living and loving with HIV/AIDS. I have seen no other film to date in which the day to day struggles of maintaining an HIV positive individual's health, adhering to a burdensome medical regiment and the various psychological battles involved in doing so is as well expressed. Claudio's hope for and despair of finding understanding and love, and his many unexpected losses and rewards are portrayed with the empathy of someone who has obviously seen the battle up close. It is a sober film but it contains truths that anyone who has made this journey, either with loved ones or themselves, will surely recognize and appreciate.

I do not mind the unclear motivations of some of the main characters or the questionable choices they made. This is a movie, and movie makers have the freedom NOT to satisfy all my expectations, which I like. Although some of what happened was hard to take, the best parts of this movie far outweigh the darkness.

Several months ago I read how hard it is to get straight Italian actors to play gay roles, but whoever wrote that must not have seen this movie. All the main actors, most of whom I assume are straight in real life, played these gay roles with such dedication and fire that it puts American gay movies and American actors (gay and straight) to shame.

I have hardly ever seen on screen such intense and wholly believable passion as explodes between Caudio and Andrea in this movie. That passion alone explains to my satisfaction everything they did later, and I will rush to defend and recommend ANY movie that puts such passion between two men on film. I drank it in like water in a desert.

I almost didn't rent this because I can't stand watching movies with subtitles. I'm glad I did. Some of the characters & their storylines could've been left out, but overall a decent movie. I was very surprised at ending & the impact stuck with me through the day. Not a tear jerker, but makes you think.