Diverso da chi?

This is an unusual Italian release. It doesn't aspire to more than what it is and what it is, is rather nice. What's good about it is mostly thanks to Luca Argentero and Filippo Negri. Argentero is rapidly becoming a big star and with reason. He has a compelling presence on the screen and you can sense a lot of room for improvement, so, I'm sure that when he meets the "right" director he will become transcendental. Filippo Negri is perfect as his loving foil and their scenes together reeked of an unexpected truth. Claudia Gerini however, more restrained than usual but not restrained enough still plays to the camera for laughs. She doesn't seem to trust her own delivery or anything about her character. The script should be applauded for so many daring things but the structure is faulty to say the least. Gerini's change of heart is far too fast, for a cunning political woman, the fastness contradicted everything about the character but, let me say, I was amused and I was taken by the intentions. Not a film by one of those unbearable "auteurs" and not a mindless Chrismas comedy either. Than in itself makes it a welcome oddity.

.....this one is SO close (and I'll likely be taken off Your List for making this comparison). It's an Italian production but, Hey....the US certainly doesn't have much to offer in this particular genre.

(( WARNING.....WARNING...Will Robinson (oops, sorry about that): The ONLY way I know that you Gay, fun-loving types out there are going to be able to view a purchased copy of this Region 2 DVD is if you already have....or obtain an All-Regions player** / Players made for US produced DVDS are programmed to play Region 1 discs, only ))

NOTE: Since I pretty much know there is going to be a "particular type" among the readers discovering this review, let me just say the following to them up front. "Don't get your briefs in a twist, all you "R-G-M-C" (Rigid-Gay-Male-Chauvinist) guys out there." And why saith I this? Because there is a Woman DEEPLY involved in this film....and she ain't no Fag-Hag. Oh, no....she's a Gorgeous Specimen. SO, Folks....with all this introduction now out of the way, here goes:

This gorgeous guy....this hunky Main Man (Luca Argentero as "Piero") REALLY throws himself into the role of a Gay aspiring politico (running for town mayor, don't you know). He's emotionally up...emotionally down....he's funny...he's sad....and, yes, sometimes frantic. Yet, in the end he will have wound up being our "Mr. Faithful". He holds nothing back....there are streaks of brilliance.

Then there is Piero's "Partner in Love and Life"....this lovable guy named "Remo" (Filippo Nigro, better than he ever was when playing one of our own in 2001's "The Ignorant Fairies"). Remo is a role which provides the critically needed balance to Argentero's often frenetic (but always loving) Piero. Oh, by the way, when you think things might be "starting to go South" for the guy....do NOT begin feeling sorry for Remo. Because, in the end, we will realize that it is Filippo's Powerhouse performance which has become the Glue holding the 3 sides of this Triangle together. What a Guy!

OH, BOY...OH, BOY....and now is where the tricky part comes in. Despite possible concern I may have (Ha!) for all you "R-G-M-C's" (see above), there's no way I could skip over discussion of the 3rd Spoke of this film's "Wheel". If there is anything phenomenal (and there is) about the acting chops of the two guys just mentioned, there can be nothing less phenomenal about this SuperHot lady---the one giving this story a huge spin on its rolling path through Love...Laughs....Up-times...Down-times....and on to a Happy Resolution. Though new to me, Italian Star, Claudia Gerini (as "Adele") has just become the new love of my life (my No. 1 just moved to No. 2). Wow! This blonde bombshell is terrific.....you just gotta discover that for yourself.

A Great supporting cast made up of politicians...electioneering helpers...family. And they are all First-rate (and funny). One, in particular, is a Standout: Rinaldo Rocco as Samuele....a "light in the heels" little fellow who will grab your heart. Psst....just for the fun of it, watch closely in the background of several shots. There you'll often see the sweetly kooky Samuele...with his Straight (but then is he) Tagalong counterpart, always at his side. Methinks our Sammy is conducting a bit of "Conversion Therapy" in and between these scenes. (Can IT really rub off?)

ALMOST FINALLY -- And closing out on a light note, here are some things you may never have discovered....but which this film will teach you:

• And did any of you real, or aspiring, politicos out there know that a Gay bashing's broken leg and cracked jaw can get you ahead in the polls a whole 4 Points? (Leave it to the Italians to tell us how to better succeed at things)

• And if you thought you'd heard it all about "Immaculate Conception" (or an almost-one, at any rate)....just stay tuned

• And were any of you aware that, if you get a dog, you have a better chance of picking up guys

• And that if you have on your political team (am not sure if the "kind" of team matters), a someone called "Freddie Mercury", or an even more strangely named, "Barack Obama".....you are always going to wind up a Winner

PARTING THOUGHT -- In the end, I hope those of you grown up folks out there (and lots of young people)....who are struggling to understand feelings of sexual uncertainty....find that this film (and especially its title) points you in the direction of the solutions you are seeking. Whether we be Heterosexual / Homosexual / Bisexual, we should always Stop....Take a Count....and question of ourselves: If we "ARE" different.....then just ask, "DIFFERENT FROM WHOM?"

PS -- With a last breath, let me suggest what is a Real (and only) shame involving this film: That its Native Italian son and Director (Umberto Riccioni Carteni) did not, at that time, enjoy the same Cinema stature as Adopted Italian son and Director (Turkish born Ferzan Ozpetek). Not only that, but had the same multitude of commercial and advertising forces used on Ozpetek's latest ("Loose Cannons"), been in play for the wonderful work I've just reviewed here, then quite another story about "Different From Whom?" might find a place in the world's cinematic history books.

PPS -- Oh, and don't forget to grab a look at 2009's "Handsome Harry".....along with my review (thankfully, it's even shorter than the preceding).

** From a personal point of view, I consider this film worthwhile enough to justify expenditure for an All-Regions DVD Player. Another plus is you can often find earlier DVD releases overseas. (Another possible source for the DVD of this film is Amazon.com/Italy).

****

Overall enjoyable, but one really needs to struggle to "suspend disbelief" ...as much of the plot in the second half is rather absurd. Nothing memorable; in the end, it was a bit disappointing (something I didn't need to see).

True, Luca Argentero is the only reason to see this rushed, thoughtless "romantic comedy" I'm sure he's on the verge of something truly important and I, for one, wish him the best. But here, the elements were perfect for an elegant, witty comedy with topical themes and all the rest but, as it is usually the case, there is a lack of real commitment. After a very promising opening with a truly romantic kiss between Argentero and the terrific Filippo Negri, everything is down hill from there. The script needed nurturing and maturing. Claudia Gerini's character is totally unbelievable and that is a problem, a really big problem because it just doesn't let you connect. I won a bet however, I was sure Claudia Gerini was going to disrobe on the first half an hour of the film and I was right. Lovely to look at but dramatically absurd.

Diverso da chi? is a romantic comedy that is neither romantic nor funny. Its manic, screeching, chattering pace is exhausting and goes nowhere but around and around and around a tired old formula that was done much better seventy-five years ago during the heyday of Hollywood screwball comedies. All it adds to that formula is an appallingly moronic and insulting gay element.

The ONLY thing that makes this irritating and offensive movie worth watching is a lovely, sweet and courageously subtle (especially in this Bugs Bunny cartoon of a movie) performance by Filippo Nigro. I started watching this movie to see Luca Argentero (who was captivating in Özpetek's Saturno contro), but I stayed with it ONLY for Nigro.

I disagree that Argentero will become a big international star despite starring in movies like this. He may still, but if he wants to (and if he's smart, he doesn't, because superstardom destroys the humanity in actors) he'd better get smarter about what roles he takes. He is gorgeous for sure, but if he has talent to match his looks he doesn't show it in this turkey. He only does two expressions: confused and pouting, and only the pouting is believable.

And for such a gorgeous man, he has surprising little sexual chemistry on screen; the love scenes with both his male and female lovers are equally contrived and unconvincing. In Saturno contro, Özpetek may have brought out more than Argentero actually has inside.