A Odisseia de Enéias

I don't know how far in the world an Italian production can go these days but if you like watching movies from abroad (as I do), there is a good chance that you'd like this title, no matter where you are from.

It's the 2nd feature film from Pietro Castellitto (both author and main character) and the richness of witty details (most of them nice) he included in the flick seems to speak of a long period spent stockpiling ideas before starting to shoot. Which is good.

In any case the movie is indisputably entertaining, built around a well organised plot that even though (alas...) doesn't escape the Italian cliché of considering mob an irreplaceable narrative element, shows originality in other ways such as nice dialogues and a pleasant general candour.

Acting is very good: the two main characters above all but I'm sure that Benedetta Porcaroli won't go unnoticed as well. A mention for Author's father, who is a very famous Italian actor and plays his son's father in the movie: you can notice him stealing the scene even when he listens, completely still, to his wife (the talented Chiara Noschese).

Frames are good and the ending, although metaphysical (another unfortunate Italian cliché...) however brings the story to a coherent end (which is always nice).

There is more in the movie, such as several nods and hints to other movies or to other Authors, and I'm sure you'll notice them as I did.

Enjoy.

The film "Enea," directed by Pietro Castellitto, falls short of expectations despite its potential. While announcing to explore complex and contemporary themes, the final result is barely satisfactory. The attempt to address the theme of searching for meaning in an empty and alienating world, along with disillusionment towards bourgeois society, lacks conviction. Although it seems willing to tackle important issues, it fails to mention them adequately. Instead of delving into the topics at hand, the film gets lost in a heavy form devoid of substance. The lack of narrative coherence and superficial character development contribute to making the film experience disappointing, leaving the viewer with a sense of emptiness and dissatisfaction."Enea" opens with an intriguing scene, capturing the audience's attention by introducing the protagonists, Enea and his friend Valentino. Both lead lives outside the rules, immersed in a world of parties and drug dealing. However, despite appearing to enjoy an unshakable vitality, there's an underlying sadness that envelops them, a lack of purpose that renders them vulnerable. The film alternates between portraying the criminal lives of Enea and Valentino and that of a bourgeois family desperately trying to stay united. This parallelism between two seemingly opposite worlds should enrich the narrative, but sometimes it becomes disorienting for the viewer. The scenes seem disconnected from each other, lacking a logical or visual link to connect them organically. The narrative of "Enea" presents an organization that might be disorienting for the viewer. The scenes seem not to flow naturally into each other, creating a sense of fragmentation and discontinuity. Although each scene is aesthetically crafted and has its visual impact, there's a lack of a fluid and logical connection among them in the overall film. This makes it difficult for the audience to follow the storyline cohesively and satisfyingly. A better balance in the arrangement of images could ensure a smoother and more harmonious viewing experience, allowing the audience to fully immerse themselves in the narrative without distractions or feelings of disorientation. The cast of "Enea" distinguishes itself with convincing performances, contributing to bringing the characters to life. Especially, Giorgio Quarzo Guarascio shines in the role of Valentino, Enea's long-time friend, bringing a magnetic and authentic presence to the screen. Benedetta Porcaroli, as Eva, Enea's trophy girlfriend, also delivers a solid and convincing performance, adding depth to the emotional fabric of the story. However, despite the efforts of the actor-director in the role of Enea, the main character seems to lack the emotional depth that could have made his figure more engaging and memorable. The conclusion of the film leaves a sense of incompleteness and dissatisfaction. Without revealing too much, I can say it appears somewhat rushed and fails to provide a satisfying answer to the questions raised throughout the narrative. This contributes to a feeling of incompleteness and confusion at the end of the viewing. "Enea" by Pietro Castellitto presents itself as a work with high ambitions and offers an intriguing experience for the viewer. It stands out for its vivid imagination and attention to detail in its realization. However, despite these qualities, the film suffers from some shortcomings in narrative structure and staging balance, preventing the work from fully expressing its potential. Despite interesting insights and memorable scenes, the film lacks the coherence and uniqueness in storytelling that could have made "Enea" a truly exceptional work. However, if you're curious and willing to give it a chance, you might still find valuable elements in the film. Everyone has a different perspective, and you might discover something that I haven't seen. So, happy viewing!