The Consequences of Love (2004)

Powerful

Good movie but grossly overrated

A Masterpiece!

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

I was fortunate enough to see all of Sorrentino's work recently at this year's Italian Film Festival here in Hollywood and by comparison I can report that this movie is one of his best. To be sure - all the usual quirky idiosyncrasies of his style are represented: The dialogue not necessarily representing the individual character's intelligence but rather his state of mind, the quick, often fleeting hints at things happening, the sometimes inconsequential progression of plot which only makes partial sense once you've seen the whole time line, etc. This time the story lends itself nicely to all of Sorrentino's traits and save for the ending which once again seems somewhat stilted, his tale is a piece of work not to be missed. Check it out!

I've seen this film so many times, It's that good. Maybe because I can relate to Tittas way of life is the reason why. Not everyone would find it to their taste. Also, my Italien is improving after each viewing. Am I a sad case? Thankyou Mr Sorrentino. I look forward to your next film. Although I did not see the film at a cinema, I have the DVD and would encourage anyone to buy it. The Special feature extras alone is worth the price. The amount of time a director spends on the making of a film is very seldom appreciated, the extras on the DVD gives an excellent insight to the making of a film. As for the story of the film, I'm bias.I happen to rave about it to all my friends, but as I said before, I relate very much to the main character who is a loner in a situation not of his own choosing. The Mafia in Sicily use Titta to launder their money in a Swiss bank. He owes them for costing them Millions of dollars years ago in stock market deal that went wrong.Love kills.

Judging by the comments above , this film is almost unknown in America. This is the kind of " new' European movie that " scores' on the old continent. At least in the Netherlands (Amsterdam, not representative !) it had quite a moderate to good box office success. As a film-goer who grew up on the seventies diet of Visconti, Fellini, Antonioni, etc. (in the cinema that is, not on video...) (TV hardly ever shows this art) I do not see what is so important on this movie, or on another recent Italian top-hit in Holland, La Meglio Giuventu. Italian cinema may be on a comeback trail, but in my opinion the quality here is missing. I find this film highly confusing, and , main objection against it: as we say in Dutch, "putting the viewer on the wrong leg...". Who could think of a worse ending than the main character drowning in a classic Mafia concrete bath....., if I had seen this one in the cinema (I rented a DVD instead) I would have walked out sick....And then, what is the role of the bar maid (grand daughter of Magnani) ? We expect, by the title, a role for her in saving his life from the trap he is in right now. No, not to be. Conclusion: a bad script, a plot that takes crazy turns, but, as my colleagues here agree, great camera work, and a good main role . I rate it a 5,9 out of 10.

Very slow, dull, enigmatic film. MAybe the kind of film Jean-Luc Godard would have made had he been Italian. Certainly conveys how tedious, repetitious, joyless and empty a person's life can be, but I don't usually go to the cinema to find that out! The plot (such as it is) doesn't convince. Why a gorgeous hotel receptionist (an exception to the dullness of the film) would be the slightest bit interested in a moody, chain-smoking, silent loner who speaks in 'deep' aphorisms baffles me. Very difficult to feel any sympathy with the main character. One feels like shaking him by the throat and telling him to 'snap out of it!'. His brother is a much more human character. The ending is inconclusive and puzzling. Everyone in the cinema (when I saw the film) went out muttering about how they nearly fell asleep. Of course, it shouldn't have to be a Hollywood Bruce Willis-style 'shhot-em-up' and 'crash-bang' fiesta, but a little bit of energy and action would have made it a lot more thrilling. One of the best Italian films ever?! Pleease...An art-house, curiosity at best.