Me and You

Me and You (Io et Te): Bertolucci's last film, while it may seem insubstantial the touch of a master is still there. Most of the action occurs in a basement - an introverted 14 year old, Lorenzo (Jacopo Olmo Antinori) , pretends to go on a school ski trip but hides in his apartment building's cellar. Then his 25 year old half-sister Olivia (Tea Falco) arrives, having nowhere to stay, she doesn't get on with her stepmother. They hang out together in a storeroom containing the contents of the apartment's previous owner, a Russian Countess.Problems pile up as Olivia is a heroin addict trying to go cold turkey. A touching film which offers hop for the futures of both of the protagonists ( great performances by Falco and Antinori) but certain threats remain. Directed and Co-Written by Bernardo Bertolucci. 8/10.

I saw this film at the Rotterdam film festival 2013, within the Spectrum section. I was not thinking much of it when reading the synopsis on the festival website, imagining the confinements of the plot: watching two people in the basement, lasting nearly 2 hours. But someone else made the choice for me to book tickets anyway. I'm glad to it, and admit wholeheartedly that my prejudice was in error.

Firstly, the young actor who plays the 14-year old boy, does a formidable job. He is believable throughout as a boy who does not interact smoothly with the world, passing the day with his own solitary hobbies. Instead of going on a ski camp with his schoolmates, he dutifully prepares staying in the basement for a whole week, and takes a lot of trouble not to tell a soul about him hiding there. He wants to be left alone; that is very clear from the start.

Secondly, his unexpectedly visiting half-sister is also remarkable in how she interacts with the boy. She pressures him to allow her in while having no place else to stay. She visibly suffers a cold turkey after her heroine addiction, a painful process she has solid reasons to go through, and to come out of it clean. She wants to regain her former life as a successful photographer, and to reunite with a former friend she knew years ago. In spite of not having personal experience with recovering from a drug addiction, I have the impression that the whole painful process is shown very well. It is one of the reasons bringing brother and half-sister closer together. They do not become intimate in the literal sense (Is that a spoiler? Did you expect it?), as far as we are able to observe. In spite of their differences in age and street wiseness, a certain form of mutual understanding is definitely reached.

The story develops slowly but steadily, and has no boring moments whatsoever. Ample variety is brought in, by including a few scenes outside the basement, and other albeit short interactions with some outsiders. Another plus is that the story does not develop in the most straightforward direction. For example, there is not even a hint that one of them wants sex with the other, as would be assumed by everyone reading the synopsis. Their situation is difficult, to say the least, and discovery is always lurking around the corner.

All in all, I'm not disappointed in the end result. It may not par up with some monumental films that Bertolucci made many years ago, but can that be construed as a problem?? Casting and acting can make or break a scenario like this, in this case with great success. The story left us with an open end, but I think that there was no other way, so also not a problem. This film ended 13th (out of 178) for the audience award with an average score of 4.401 (out of 5) from 1,524 votes.

Bernarod Bertolucci's final film feels more like the movie of a younger director: it's protagonists are youthful, the budget is low and there are few special effects or tricks, the story is simple and not overcooked. But I liked this tale of a shy teenager who camps out in a basement when supposed to be going ski-ing, and who gets a shock when his troubled sister turns up. Parts of what follows are a little cliched, but the basic feel of the film imparts a sense of honesty and genuineness. I liked it a lot, although it's a long way from 'The Last Emperor' or 'Last Tango in Paris'.

I bit late to the party, but Bertoluccis latest(last) effort is a fine one indeed. This movie is a celebration to human relationships, and the potential in them for change. Why face the immediate hardships of life when you can be an angry spectator. Why have human relationships when they can hurt you. Why open up, when there is pain and suffering. Why need others when alone you are in control. This film tells you why.

This odd coming of age film set in an cellar describes the process of a relationship where in the end you feel like change is possible. This is a beautiful feeling indeed. And I thank Bertolucci for this.

See this film.

I like it. it is not a revelation/surprise/piece from Bertolucci chain. it is only a common story about family, about a meeting and refuges. and nothing more. a delicate picture about small significant things. interesting young actors and waters of a special atmosphere. realistic, gray, circle of nuances, seductive and almost real beautiful, it is a mixture of ordinary life crumbs and a strange poem. a teenager and his sister. dialogs, feelings, silences. and a Bertolucci after experiments, storms, scandal. because, after an extraordinary trip, it is time for reflection. a film like a box with surprises. first - Jacopo Olmo Antinori in a promising role. then - Tea Falco. so, it is not a bad idea to see it ! not for director or for cast. but for a meeting with art to transform in movie few common pieces from common life.