Il futuro

This movie is about a Chilean teenager (Manuela Martell) who is orphaned in Italy after her ex-pat parents are killed in a traffic accident. She tries to care for her slightly younger brother, but is frustrated trying to find legitimate employment (she works in a hair salon, but is not allowed to cut anyone's hair). She gets sexually involved with some older friends of her brother who are both "personal trainers" and small-time thugs, and they enlist her as the sexual "bait" in a plot to rob a supposedly wealthy, blind American (Rutger Hauer) who is a former "muscleman" star of Italian peplums (60's sword and sandal films). But she begins to form sympathy for her intended target.

This isn't a great film, but it is a GOOD film and the kind of film they need to make more of. I think it is an Italian-Chilean co-production, but it has a genuine international feel to it since it features Rutger Hauer, a cult legend in both American films ("Blade Runner", "The Hitcher") and Dutch films before that ("Turkish Delight", "Soldier of Orange"). It's appropriate that he's a peplum actor here because the peplums were some of the first films the once vaunted Italian film industry was able to export internationally on their way to eventually becoming a more low-rent but legitimate competitor to Hollywood in 60's and 70's (before the bottom completely fell out by the mid-80's). Rutger Hauer is good in this as a tragi-comic, lonely blind man (certainly a lot better than he is in Dario Argento's "Dracula", which may have been what brought him to Rome). But even if he weren't, he's become a truly iconic presence by this point.

Manuela Martelli is one of the best young actresses in Chile. She was is "Machuca", perhaps the best Chilean film in recent memory, and a more obscure adult-oriented teen film called "B-Happy". There just aren't many films made though in a country of only 15 million, or many opportunities for film actresses, so it's good to see her in this. She really goes toe-to-toe with Rutger Hauer (sometimes literally since his character likes to strip her naked, rub oil all over her beautiful body, and "wrestle" in the bed with her). She might not be considered a "hot" actress if you stood her next to someone like Megan Fox or Alexandra Daddario, but not only wouldn't any of the "hot" Hollywood actresses like that ever take on a role like this, they'd never be able to pull off if they did. A lot of young Hollywood actresses today won't do extensive nudity or erotic roles because they seem to think it would make them porn actresses, but that might be because they don't have much more talent than porn actresses to begin with. It actually takes a lot of talent to play a truly erotic, sensual role like this, let alone all the other dramatic paces Martelli has to do in this film.

Of course, the reason America doesn't have many actresses that can do roles like this is because they very rarely make movies like this. And that is a shame really. There isn't even much left of American "Indiewood" today to even justify the "indie" part. So it's nice to see a small but up-and-coming national film industry (Chile) combine with a once great one (Italy) to give a role to an iconic older actor and an opportunity to a sexy AND genuinely talented young actress. Maybe the movie itself is no great shakes, but it doesn't really need to be.

The film opens with the death of two teenager's parents, leaving them to live by themselves. Money is tight for Bianca and Tomas but the arrival of two shady guys from the gym where the latter works changes everything. They put forward a scheme to rob a reclusive actor who was famous in the 60's for playing the character Maciste in peplum movies. Bianca is sent in to seduce him but things don't play out as planned.

Il Futuro is a strange film that isn't really story driven at all. The crime angle that underpins the narrative is ultimately not especially important, more a device of linking Bianca to Maciste. What made the film most enjoyable for me was Manuela Martelli who was not only good in the central role but also added a strong sensual dimension to proceedings. She spends a considerable amount of time naked and covered in oil which does ensure that this is a drama that has a definite erotic angle. Rutger Hauer is additionally an interesting presence, even if his character essentially remains somewhat enigmatic.

So what does it all mean? Not a huge amount I would venture. The title seems to refer to the fact that the central character's present is poor and the future is all. Bianca uses sex as a means of moving forward but it doesn't work and things end with her and her brother having learnt a few lessons from their experience. I suppose it's a coming-of-age film in some ways. But mainly it works best as a slightly left-field erotic drama; more a slice of life rather than a story.

4.5 of 10. Something like a outsider/emo teen film, but in Italy. Lots of style and flair around lots of propaganda, product placement, and a big story hole, possibly admitted to at the end by a guilty director. It's the type of teen/young adult formula story I'm surprised isn't more frequently used in USA films. Apparently we're not as empty as Italy when it comes to film.

While the cast does a lot to carry the film, the direction and story is little more than a slice of life film. It makes for an impressive acting exercise for all involved.

Given that's it's apparently based on a book, and books usually can't get by purely on words describing hot naked chicks, melodrama, and cigarette smoke, maybe something got left out.

I am an admirer of Rutger Hauer. So when I had a chance to see Il Futuro, I took it. Sadly, there is absolutely nothing here that would make me happy to have seen it. Hauer was made to look particularly bad since that was the role. But even worse was the terrible empty lines he was forced to say - like how to make a sandwich....yuuck. The lead actress Manuela Martelli was only OK as an actress, but, again perhaps the role itself was designed to be emotionless, flat and zombie like. The only even thinly possible thing to say that wasn't awful about the film was the actress' nude body was firm and fit. And know this, there was nothing even remotely erotic about it since the scenes were choreographed to be like Walking Dead episodes. I hate to say it but do Rutger Hauer a favor and don't put this vision of his performance in your head.

'Il futuro' is a very, very Italian film.

Set in a dark, slightly menacing, and refined style that continues throughout its plot. Keeping you on your seat, fearing that things will end badly for both the Girl and the Old Man.

A style that does not entirely answer reality, but who cares? The leads by Manuela Martelli and Rutger Hauer are pretty convincing. Just like the other characters performing. They all make a good watch.

There also must be praise for this film's picturing. Done in good style, and fitting well with the dark, mancing plot. 'Il futuro' may not be the world's greatest film, but it certainly leaves you with a good aftertaste.