Ferzan Ozpetek's film La finestra di fronte, Facing Windows, is a beautiful story weaving together the past and present lives of a family, their neighbour, and a stranger. The film was the recipient of four David di Donatello Awards; for Best Actor (Massimo Girotti), Best Actress (Giovanna Mezzogiorno), Best Film, and Best Music, as well as three Nastro d'Argento Prizes.
'Giovanna (Giovanna Mezzogiorno) has been married to her devoted husband (Filippo Nigro) for nine years. She carries full responsibility for her family and the strain begins to show when her overly considerate husband brings home an elderly amnesiac, Simone (Massimo Girotti). Irritated by her husband's softness, her fantasies of the ideal are projected onto the handsome, mysterious neighbour, Lorenzo (Raoul Bova), whom she watches through her window at night.
Combining elements of mystery, love, and historical rumination, La finestra di fronte is about finding one's destiny. Ozpetek brings the married woman, the man in the window, and the elderly stranger together, whose pasts and futures are full of surprises.'
I borrowed this film without really expecting much more than a usual romance tale, but was pleasantly surprised. I love La finestra di fronte for its intimacy and its emotional complexities, the acting was compelling and heartfelt. What I never understood was how Giovanna's character could have been so oblivious and blind to how wonderful her husband was; if more men were that caring about their children the world would be a better place. Even the character of the ever-dashing Raoul Bova seemed pale in comparison. The soundtrack features a beautiful song by Giorgia, Gocce di memoria, that I have been playing on repeat all day.
