The Goodbye Kiss (2006)

the audience applauded

Strong and Moving!

Simply Perfect

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

Once there was a promising Italian director with a nearly perfect hand when it came to splatter fun like "Deliria" (Stage Fright) and who eventually delivered the exquisite, tongue-in-cheek postmodern zombie flick "Dellamorte Dellamore" (Cemetery Man) with Rupert Everett in his perhaps finest leading role. That's fifteen years ago, with Soavi having done lots of TV work in the meantime -- maybe the reason why "Arrividerci amore, ciao", his first big-screen venture after more than a decade, is exactly looking like a professionally executed RAI Uno television assignment. The biggest problem of "Amore" is the script, working moderately, occasionally even quite well for about an hour, after which the story is rapidly mutating from a pretty tight, at intervals hard-hitting crime flick into an extraordinarily boring wife-murder yawn ultimately dissolving into lukewarm air, the end being one of the most awful letdowns in Italian thriller history. It's probably my last Soavi movie: Arrividerci Michele, ciao.

I am surprised to find such negative comments. The film is one of the best noir films ever made in Italy. Alessio Boni is, as usual, perfect (he was great in La meglio gioventù, but here his performance is outstanding). The director added some ideas that are not in the novel, but the added element fit the plot perfectly. All in all, it's as good as Carlotto's slim novel, and that is probably the best book Carlotto ever wrote. I reckon both Soavi and Boni understood that the trick was the way the protagonist was portrayed: a poisonous snake with a charming appearance. An apparently nice guy who is actually a nasty thug, only interested in money, power--also with a sadistic streak. Not the usual character in Italian cinema, but they managed to make it believable. The final scene, with the protagonist watching the girl's agony is absolutely perfect. There you fully realize what sort of a man he really is. And then you begin to wonder what sort of a world is that which accepts him so readily... which is probably the real point that both the novel and the film want to make.

it's a very great movie. it isn't a typical Italian movie: the screenplay was made by a series of professional writer. You aren't able to understand what will be in the next scene. Movie move on very fast. Also actors was very good. especially Giorgio, the protagonist, is unconventional character: he was a fighter with the dream of revolution, but for him only things important from the beginning to the end of the movie is his freedom, for which he is read to make everything. the co-protagonist have a wonderful smile, is very sweet and pure and falls in love with Giorgio completely.is adorable. there are various sequence of action and Italian and international locations: south America, Paris, Milan, and a series of small Italian town. finally scenes are totally shocked. the director isn't new to great movie , even if his usually work for television drama.music of author is rocking, and soundtrack contains tracks with the same name of movie's title.

I had the opportunity to see this film during the New Line Italian Cinema Festival at Lincoln Center over the summer.I loved the storyline and acting. The music was fabulous too.All the actors were great. Especially Alessio Boni. He is such a "gem". If only he could come to the US and be the next international star. The range of his acting is monumental. I have had the chance to see his acting in previous films which has made me hooked ever since. On another note, I did not read the book but after viewing the film, it made me want to run to the nearest Barnes and Nobles and purchase it and also look forward to buying the DVD when it hits the United States.