In
a film immediately reminiscent of Darren Aronofsky's Requiem for
a Dream (2000), Lisa Gastoni is especially
convincing in a dark, cautionary tale of cocaine addiction. In fact,
the other female cast members - Anita Capriolli and Michelle Carpente
- also noteworthy for their difficult performances. The story takes
place in a circular, jarring narrative, in which any character could
be living [or could have lived] the life of another. As a result, three
generations with a dependence on coke - from ages 20 to 70 - are exposed
before an unflinching camera. The torment is scrutinized in total solitude,
depicting how the drug monopolizes the addict's social life without
actually interrupting it. Events are triggered, played out, and get
hopelessly entangled inside the delicate structure of the family itself
which becomes a war zone.
Veteran actress Lisa Gastoni adds a certain granite yet destructive
element to her character, not unlike Ellen Burstyn's performance in
the aforementioned REQUIEM. Italian-born Gastoni began acting in the
mid '50s. Her breakout role was in Robert Mauri's 1965 thriller NIGHTS
OF VIOLENCE. She won the Italian best actress award for Fernando
Di Leo's Lolita film THE
SEDUCTION (1973). Ms Gastoni retired unexpectedly
after starring in LIPS
OF LURID BLUE in 1975, only to return 30 years later for a series
of popular TV dramas. She agreed to star in this highly controversial
motion picture for documentary filmmaker Pasquale Possessere at that
time.
Supporting
actress Michelle Carpente - the darling of teen comedies, e.g., Scusa
Ma Ti Chiamo Amore (Sorry If I Love You) and Scusa
Ma Ti Voglio Sposare (Sorry If I Want To Marry You) -
complained that the realism of this movie [depicted through her character
of Elli] had damaged her career by convincing fans that she was a cocaine
addict. To counterbalance the rumors, she immediately joined the popular
Italian television series Anti-Drug Squad (Caccia al re -
La narcotici ) in the role of Miriam.
An Italian
film with English subtitles; widescreen format, uncut (85 minutes),
DVD encoded for ALL REGION NTSC WORLD FORMAT; extras include selected
trailers.
Graphic
Violence/Sexual Situations/SemiNudity/Drugs
For Adult Audiences
