Like Friends

Just Friends is a poignant film that skillfully combines humor with profound emotional resonance, presenting a touching narrative centered on friendship, emotions, and the ethical implications of artificial technology.

The cinematography and soundtrack enhance the film's key moments beautifully. The visual storytelling is both striking and intimate, capturing the nuances of the characters' interactions and the settings that frame their journeys. Each shot is thoughtfully composed, drawing the audience into the emotional landscape of the film. The use of light and color further amplifies the mood, whether it's the warmth of a shared laugh or the somber tones of a heartfelt conversation. The soundtrack complements perfectly the film's most important moments. Its authenticity and ability to convey genuine moments makes the movie stand out.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the film is the deliberate choice to push certain characters to the edge of caricature. A striking example is the mother figure, an eccentric ex-wife who, obsessed with social media, constantly livestreams videos, eventually becoming the subject of her young daughter's scrutiny due to her excessive self-exposure. While this portrayal may seem exaggerated, it actually captures the farcical and often artificial nature of the digital world, where the projected image matters more than substance.

The film stands out for its bold approach to addressing complex themes through an accessible and at times surreal language. While some viewers might find the tone over-the-top, it is precisely this stylistic choice that makes Like Friends a work unafraid to take risks in portraying a contemporary truth.

"Like Friends" is a film that challenges the conventions of the sci-fi genre, successfully blending suspense, philosophical reflections, and a touch of irony. What struck me most is the film's ability to make you reflect on themes like identity, freedom, and the relationship between humans and technology, without ever turning into a heavy philosophical treatise. The narrative is well-balanced, with moments of tension alternating with lighter and more ironic scenes. The cast, while not composed of major names-except for the talented Marcello Crea-does an excellent job. Giulia Crosara, in the role of Kelly, manages to portray with delicacy the contrast between humanity and the coldness of the android, while Livio Soldini plays the role of a funny hacker. The setting, with its mix of modernity and more intimate, solitary spaces, helps create the right atmosphere for a story that is both a thriller and a psychological drama. What surprised me is the film's ability to stay fresh and original, even though it tackles themes that have been explored in other films. There is something new and intriguing in its combination of sci-fi and ironic comedy, which makes it interesting and accessible even to those who are not die-hard fans of the genre.

I watched the film on Orion TV, and what struck me about "Like Friends" is its fresh and never predictable approach.

Despite tackling very contemporary themes, such as the evolution of technology and its ethical implications, the film manages to strike a perfect balance between moments of tension and flashes of irony, avoiding falling into rhetoric. Marcello Crea, who is not only the director but also plays the lead role of Achille, delivers a solid performance. However, it is Giulia Crosara who truly shines in the role of Kelly, conveying the complexity of her android character in an extraordinary way.

This is a futuristic story about the relation between humans and technology (a current topic nowadays) and I really love this movie. Trieste is a beautiful and suggestive location where to film movies. The performances of the actors are amazing and the different types of characters are so interesting, especially I like Livio Soldini as Luca and Marcello Crea as Achille. There is a well-balanced mix between funny lines and moments of tension. You can relax and laugh watching it but, at the same time, it makes you reflect about life and the power that AI technology could have over the world.

I highly recommend it!!