Loro 1

...but it's too long, too dull, and not really engaging in any way. even by euro standards, this is just inedible. perhaps a shortened version, that was supposed to be released, could sort of uncover the potential this movie has

Loro 1, directed by Paolo Sorrentino, is an ambitious yet disjointed exploration of power, decadence, and the enigmatic figure of Silvio Berlusconi. The first installment of a two-part saga, the film focuses on the world surrounding Berlusconi rather than the man himself, attempting to weave a narrative of ambition, excess, and moral decline.

Toni Servillo delivers a performance that captures the magnetism and contradictions of Berlusconi, though his character remains more a symbol than a fully fleshed-out individual in this chapter. Riccardo Scamarcio brings energy as Sergio Morra, a character emblematic of opportunism and corruption. While the cast is strong, their roles often feel more like caricatures, serving the film's aesthetic rather than its narrative depth.

Sorrentino's signature visual flair is evident throughout, with opulent set pieces and stylized sequences that create a surreal, almost dreamlike atmosphere. The cinematography and production design are undeniably striking, but the emphasis on style often overshadows substance. The fragmented structure and lack of narrative cohesion make it difficult for the audience to engage fully with the story or its themes.

While Loro 1 attempts to critique power and the corrupting influence of excess, it often feels more like a voyeuristic spectacle than a profound commentary. The film's focus on surface-level decadence leaves little room for deeper emotional or psychological exploration.

Rating: 5/10 - A visually stunning but narratively hollow first act that struggles to find its footing.

Why? Because you can quibble with this and with that. But this is a first class film and it must not go unseen.

This film shows the good and bad sides of the controversial Italian ex prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, and does it in a brilliant way. The mediterranean sunshine, the luxury, the ladies, are the real setting of a real story well worth watching.

The film lasts 2 hours 30 minutes. Please fix the mistake.