CULTURE

A romantic comedy directed, produced and starring Til Schweiger, sees him as a press reporter, Ludo Decker whose daily work is to spy on celebrities. He often uses his job, charm and wit to get his way with the ladies! After a work-related incident, Ludo is sentenced to 300 hours community service at a children’s day care centre. There he is reunited with ex-classmate Anna Gotzlowski. Growing up, Ludo used to taunt the hopelessly devoted Anna and since then she has never forgotten. Out of revenge, she sets out to test his patience. As tensions dissolve, they become friends, although Anna wants more. Blind to her feelings, Ludo doesn’t understand why she is so upset when she finds him with another woman. After some distance and seeing Anna, as actor Jurgen Vögel’s date at an awards ceremony, Ludo realises that he loves Anna and does anything in his power to win her back. What’s great about this film is that although it’s a romantic comedy, with the protagonist being male, it feels more comedy then soppy romance when the two elements are balanced out. As the two main characters have history the banter between them is very wi tty. It is also worth noting that supporting roles and the soundtrack is well chosen and key to the developments in the film. But why should you see this film? In Germany, Schweiger’s films are sell-outs, so when you see one, you’ll want to see more of his entertaining, upbeat movies!

OÙ EST – TU? – MARC LEVY

By Amanda Brown

Marc Levy is the Nicholas Sparks of France offering his readers with this book a story about Susan and Philip, two young people who meant everything to each other and promised to always love one another.

A story starting with a beautiful personification of a hurricane, portrays how Philip and Susan’s decisions in life can come between what seems to be the strongest of connections as they live their lives through heartfelt letters and their few touching encounter at Newark Airport. Philip had promised Susan that he would be there for her no matter what happens, but with that promise his life would change forever. The repercussions bring about changing emotions. It shows just how much both their lives have moved. However, I don’t want to give too much away as this has an ambivalent twist of an ending, but it certainly wasn’t what I expected.

My most favourite passage is early on as they say goodbye, when Philip takes Susan into his arms, and she holds onto him trying to take in his scent whilst leaving hers on him. This is great for those who love a good romance; how Philip is so eager to arrive at the airport early to not miss Susan and how they promise not to cry each time they part. It will leave you feeling the importance of making every moment in life count; however mundane or special.

RICORDATI DI ME By Lana Hunt

In 2003 Muccino released Ricordati Di Me which explores the complex personal and professional interests of a seemingly normal Roman family. It is a movie about life, love, desires and responsibility, a movie about the limits that people go to in order to achieve their hopes and dreams, and a movie that examines the complex nature of relationships. Each member of the Ristuccia family appears to be preoccupied with their own personal dreams and ambitions. Carlo, bored of his monotonous life with his wife and job, rekindles the passion with an ex-lover (Monica Bellucci), while his wife desperately attempts to become an actress. Their daughter wishes to work on a television show, and will sacrifice anything to achieve this reality, while her brother Paolo feels lost and rejected and tries to find his true identity.

This is a fantastic film, which is thoroughly enjoyable to watch purely for entertainment value, but it also presents a number of topics which can equally be studied for a cinematic reading. For example, the film presents a new reality of the Italian family. Although in the first scene we are presented with the setting of an idyllic house in a pleasant neighbourhood which could suggest from the outside that this house is the ‘stereotypical’ residence of a normal Italian middle class family, what goes on behind closed doors is a different story. The Ristuccia family is fragmented, and does not reflect what we would consider the 'traditional' Italian family unit, since every member is attempting to realise their own dreams, ignorant to the fact that their family is breaking up around them.

Juxtaposing scenes of passion with those of tragedy, Ricordati Di Me is a film which keeps you entertained from beginning to end. The actors all offer superb performances, especially Bellucci, who seems to steal the lime light to some degree, with her unassertive sex appeal and truly captivating performance.

Thomas Dodd Editor