Ciao
by Yen Tan
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DVD details
Actor: Adam Neal Smith, Alessandro CalzaDirector: Yen Tan
Brand: E1E
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Subtitled); English (Original Language)
Format: Color, Dolby, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.77:1
Running Time: 87 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2010-03-23
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: E1 Entertainment
Product features:
- CIAO (DVD MOVIE)
DVD Reviews of Ciao
DVD Review: Sadly NOT a romance.......and still........
Summary: 4 Stars
((Here is my approach to obtaining/viewing/reviewing Gay tales in film form. Simply, it's seeking the holy grail of that genre, or looking for the "Addictive Film"---that movie one returns to time and again). Selection/purchase is based mainly on finding new releases by favorite directors/screenwriters and/or your comments/reviews at major online film sales or review sites. Sometimes I feel correctly steered by you (the "Keepers" filling my DVD shelves), other times mislead, occasionally badly (the "Throwaways"----and I do toss 'em). Rarely, I come across the "Addictive," those watchable every couple of months or sooner.......and some "near-addictive" as well). For some movies, I'll share a review with you, as follows. Thanks for sticking with me so far.))
After three viewings (believe me, this film is so well done that repeats weren't hard to do), I'm ready to sit here and share with you.
By writer / director intention, this is a "grieving film" (and you have been told, above, what it is not). So now that you know their approach in this film, ask yourself, dear reader, the following question. How shocking would it be for you to suddenly learn that, in the life of a now departed dearest friend (and unrequited love interest), there existed a far away, rival for the affections you had long sought? For some of us that might be devastating. So, with this plot lead-in out of the way, what we are left with for the remainder of this film are two grieving men who have been (and are still, it appears) in love with the same man. Fate throws them together at this story's beginning, and as we watch we see "feelings" develop and grow between them. At the same time, we come to realize that until this pair truly and completely comes to terms with the event that caused them to meet, there likely will be no future together for them. (Although, to me the movie's ending gave hope that such a future might be delayed, but probably not denied).
Oops, sorry about that......just watched the DVD Special Feature's Director & Writer Commentary, and these two guys seem to shoot down any intent of there being a future together for our two leads. Plus in an offsite interview, writer/actor, Allesandro Calza (a bedroom-eyed hottie, playing Italian visitor, Andrea) says about his character and that of Adam Neal Smith (starring as Dallas-based Jeff): "....they are not attracted to each other.....they don't have sex together.....I don't think they develop a romance." WOW! says this viewer. Just what is the audience to think happens after that extended kissing scene they give us to end a shot.....that when the camera pans away they'll frantically leap out of bed and run to opposite ends of the house from one another? Yeah, sure. Then, to further add to the expectations they've been building in us, at film's end we have Andrea extending an invitation to visit his country.....as all the while the two are moving into a long, body against body, arms around one another, heads on shoulders--eyes closed, farewell embrace. Such contradictory filmmaker statements about this couple's future together is certainly an unhappy note for we romantics in the audience. But always hopeful, I like to think that perhaps these two actors got together and decided to end run their bosses' intentions in the matter of down-the-road time together by giving a bit more in these two scenes than was scripted.....and that's why we actually saw what we saw (Hurray for our side!).
To add to mention of this film's two noteworthy stars, one of the first things which hits us is the almost tangible chemistry between them. We've all heard of strangers meeting and immediately connecting, and here we sit watching an example of that occur. Before our eyes, two actors / characters begin coming together both emotionally and in the interests they share. Even more, as we witness the occasions on which this happens, there's a kind of quiet attraction that begins to pull us right into such scenes with them (thanks, in part, to frequent use of intense closeups). Speaking of the cinematography, this film, to me, contains camera-work such as you've seldom or likely not seen: extended shots with static or little movement, involving both characters and everyday scenery. This approach seemed to produce strong feelings on this seasoned viewer's part of being intimately (!) drawn into a scene.....into a moment. Yes, there are many slow moving and contemplative times (a complaint of several professional reviewers)......so, if you're looking for fast action, e.g., hot clubbing, heavy-beat music, fast fu--s in the sack, this is not a film for you. However, if you're looking for something concerning the resilience of the human spirit, and hope that the future might bring love to those who've experienced deep loss, then this is a bang-up film for you.
It's been a dry two-plus years since 2007's "Shelter" and even longer since that great, little French film, "Just a Question of Love" (2000). So, am I disappointed this didn't turn out to be a romance? You bet I am! (But it'll still take a place on my "Addictives Shelf").
PS--What's the bit with the skin tag? (DVD Commentary has no mention of it, nor of a "very, very" long distance phone call. Absolutely no real details on the leads' working together---Film Commenters seem to have no idea what many of us out here would like to be told).
Description of Ciao
Synopsis:Item Type: DVD Movie
Item Rating: R
Street Date: 03/23/10
Wide Screen: yes
Director Cut: no
Special Edition: no
LanguageENGLISH
Foreign Film: no
Subtitlesno
Dubbed: no
Full Frame: no
Re-Release: no
Packaging: Sleeve Please note: This supplier will be closed on 11/24, 11/25, 12/26, 1/2 for the holidays. The shipping cut off is 12/10 to try and have the products delivered by Christmas.
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