Hungry Hearts

It's hard to imagine what goes through people's heads dealing with mental illness but this dives head first into the empty pool & it's very realistic and nerve racking

In the beginning of this movie you get more or less the "romantic" story about how our two protagonists, Mina and Jude, got together, but things really start to get interesting when their child is on the way. During the pregnancy the viewer already experiences the opposite positions that each partner has about their baby. Mina, who is portrayed by and outstanding and excellent Alba Rohrwacher, has a rather extreme attitude towards modern medicine, nutrition and cleanness. Jude (Adam Driver) tries to be the supporting husband but after seeing that Mina's methods endanger their child, he is forced to act against his wife's will.

This movie has a very realistic tone to it. There isn't much music to be heard and the colors are kept quite cool as well. Already in the first scene of the movie, where the couple meets in the bathroom you experience an awkward feeling that didn't really let go of me throughout the whole film. Maybe that is because the actions of all three main characters (including Jude's mother who also distributes a lot to the plot of this movie) seem somehow relatable even though they are sometime quite drastic. Especially Mina is an interesting character. She has those really extreme obsessions but somehow you still can relate to her and she feels like a real person and in no way stereotypical crazy. On the other hand there is Jude who really loves his wife and tries everything to be supportive of her but at some point that can't continue and so he is more or less forced to act against her interests for the good of their child. As a viewer I could understand both characters very well and it left me kind of torn between whom to sympathize with.

All in all, it really is an enjoyable movie though it is more of a psychological drama than a thriller and my problem with it was that the plot got a bit boring in the middle part because the actions of the characters seem repetitive. Although the ending and the character portrayals were great it is not a must-watch and certainly not a movie for everyone.

The opening scene is funny and mortifying at the same time, giving a false sense of a under budgeted romantic comedy to the film, but then it gets darker. The awkwardly sweet duo become one, they fall in love and hit off. Step by step, things get serious and these lovebirds turn into an unnerving couple as the movie gets psychological and somber.

Originally - in the book - in Italy, the story was transposed to New York City because the Italian director thought that it belonged in there. I don't know if I agree completely but given what is depicted in the film I understand this choice.

Saverio Costanzo used tight shots and close ups to bring the intimacy needed for the story. As the story develops each scene gets a shade darker and the intimacy of the shots seem to illustrate Jude (Driver) and Mina (Rohrwacher)'s state of minds. It's subtle and masterfully crafted to bring you a place where you never thought you'd go. The chips fall into place and you realize what you're in for, Mina and Jude start to make sense and a chill crawls up your spine. The slight sense of dread takes over just enough to keep captivated, but not fully engaged to make you too uncomfortable and wary. If it was done any other way it would have probably been too hard to watch, instead, like a car crash you find yourself watching these people on their way down the rabbit hole.

@wornoutspines

Hungry Hearts is a phrase play on words. It is a potent combination of words. The film showcases the blurred sense of what is conceived as normal in modern society. Normal as in interpersonal relationships, honesty, frankness, the depth of knowing one another, as well as in self awareness. The personal freedom, freedom of choices, what is considered to be an informed choice. How long can a partner respect the choices of the loved one? What is love and at what point does it start to turn into crippling obsession or mental illness. When the heart is hungry it clouds the senses. "Its a phase mum, it will pass." If you are in it you can't see the full spectrum of it. A spectator can. A wise grandmother whose heart is not hungry anymore, can feel the real responsibility of bringing up a child of a selfless point of you. It is not about you or your partner, it is about that new person that has been brought into this world hungry!

Great acting, but for me it was difficult and painful to watch. The plot, combined with the way it was filmed, these weird angels, it was a bit too much.