Silvio et les autres 1

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

He might be a repugnant individual, but Berlusconi's life is also occasionally terrifying and sometimes sad. He is a dinosaur, unwilling to let go of the glamour and corruption that have become his legacy, a man pumped on viagra, desperate to cheat age and ultimately death - unwilling to accept there is a battle he cannot win. Whether it's possible to make a fascinating study of one so vacuous is moot. It's well made. Whether you care what happens to Berlusconi the 'man' is a whole other matter. But certainly this could be shown in schools around the country - as the study of a personality and life one should never aim to duplicate.

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.

SEEN THIS TWO-PARTER AS ONE MOVIE (AS WAS INTENDED FOR INTERNATIONAL RELEASE, I THINK)

This movie establishes a great, great premise. It's about a guy who wants to be recognized by the great Silvio Berlusconi so bad that he would probably be willing to suck some if he had to. He is not the most sympathetic person in the world and has questionable morals, but in the end he is probably only at fault because his mind and principles are set on the wrong goal. But it's not easy, because Berlusconi is an enigma, a man that is hard to reach. This larger than life character of Berlusconi is then slowly established from little word of mouth stories here and there that different characters share in conversations.

Well, after the first 45 minutes the protagonist (?) of the story completely disappears from the movie never to be seen again. And the rest of the film then follows Silvio Berlusconi who just sits at home and bickers with his wife. He's just some old guy. Then the movie ends.

There is also some sort of symbolism with a Jesus on the cross statue at the very end? So does this mean there is some religious meaning behind all this? Who knows.

Besides being mostly boring, the movie also doesn't provide much knowledge or character about the real life Silvio Berlusconi. So really, for me the movie fails both on the entertainment level as far as a good story goes, and then also on educational level.

On the bright side - the talent involved in the making shows.

I'd say give it a pass.

...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