Io e lei

The Italian film Io e lei was shown in the U.S. with the title Me, Myself & Her (2015). It was directed by Maria Sole Tognazzi.

By now, there's nothing new about a movie in which a gay or lesbian couple experience stress within their partnership. However, this movie has its own place in the genre, because one woman Federica (Margherita Buy), wants to keep their lesbian relationship a secret. (Possibly an open secret, but a secret nonetheless.) The other partner, Marina (Sabina Ferilli), is very open about the relationship. The plot really begins when Marina--a retired movie actor--gives an interview in a newspaper where she admits honestly that she shares an apartment with a woman architect named Federica. Federica considers this a betrayal. The fact is true, but it's still a betrayal because it it was a breach of trust. Marina pushes the matter further by signing a contract to costar in a new movie, which will mean that she'll be away from Federica.

Matters move forward from there. You'll have to see the movie to find out what happens next. (It's complicated.)

Both leads are brilliant actors. I couldn't really accept Margherita Buy as a successful architect. The scenes in which she is acting the part of architect fall flat. Naturally, Sabina Ferilli is typecast as a former movie star who wants to get back into pictures when the right director comes along. Even though Margherita Buy didn't act like an architect, she certainly acted well as a woman betrayed by her lover. Ferilli was equally good. It's a pleasure to see two consummate actors working together so seamlessly.

We saw this movie at the excellent Little Theatre, as part of ImageOut, Rochester's great LGBT Film Festival. This was one of 22 films that had either their New York State premiere or their East Coast premiere at ImageOut. This is an astonishing achievement for ImageOut and for Rochester. My compliments to the ImageOut Board of Directors.

The film will work well on the small screen. IMDb reviewers has given this movie a ridiculously low rating of 6.0. This is another case where I say, "Did they see the same movie I saw"? Find this movie, watch it, and decide about it for yourself.