Interestingly I note that in most of the reviews here, reviewers didn't get that this movie is an autobiography of Ferrara, written and directed by himself, having his good friend Defoe playing his own role, his wife and daughter acting themselves.
Ferrara and Defoe have been living in Rome for years, in the same area in the historical centre ('esquilino') where it happens I live one block away from him!
I often seen him in the street with or without wife and kids, and he actually goes to the shops and bars you see in the movie (caffé Merulana 81, small organic grocery store, etc...) where you see the actual owners acting themselves.
I have never talked to him, but I have always been wondering about his life here and away from here. So I was delighted to see this movie. I found the acting of Defoe stunning, he absolutely hold the movie and its tension, and I am sure his great friendship with Ferrara make it even more transcendent. I found it the very intimate story of a man exposing his sins and weaknesses, embracing them, in the later period of his life.
Photography is minimalistic, probably taken with a very reduced team and preparation. It still serves well the intended pace and ambient of the story.
So to me a very good, original, autobiographical movie, destinated for an informed and prepared audience.
