Hi, Monday- I survived the weekend with flying colors...didn't sting as bad
as I thought it would...now back to reality.
but first I must tell you about the incredible film (not a movie but most
definitely a film) "I Am Love" with the gifted Tilda Swinton which I saw
yesterday. It's a slow, silky, captivating ,sensual crawl about love,
family, deception, passion- all those things that make for a great movie. It
more than references Hitchcock in its build, music, and psychological
tension. One moment we're in dully, dreary Milan- the next we're in the
budding, blooming, and colorful San Remo. I am not sure how they do it, but
a film from Italy somehow transcends the screen it's playing on, and this is
an Italian film in the grand tradition of such (Yes I know this is all very
Film School 101. I was a Journalism major, so cut me some slack). I walked
out of this one feeling dazed, blunted, and wowed. And I know I like a movie
when I can't stop thinking about it the next day- and this one is top of
mind. (Oh and if you're a graphic designy type, the title treatments in
between scenes are brilliant beyond belief- if only such gorgeous type could
accompany me wherever I go and set the tone for my life). Also top of mind are the clothes- oh the clothes. All Jil Sander for the
women and Fendi for the men. I can think of worse things. Tilda wears
clothes in a genius way, it's effortless and amazing, and it certainly helps
that she is a tall drink of water with the hips of a prep school boy. The
style in the movie was transcendent and beautiful and I could almost smell
the Acqua Di Parma spritzed on as effortlessly as these clothes were. It's
not a "fashion" movie- there are no sweeping statements or "it" pieces but
the subtle nod to the classics makes me rethink trendy, throwaway clothes
and why I continue to procure them. There was nothing in this film that
could not be worn for season after season. The clothes were as transcendent
as the film. Amazing. Oh and Tilda- I can't think of another actress who has such a range- in
facial expressions alone. And she plays a Russian who speaks Italian. Not
easy as a native English speaker, kids. Not easy at all. At one moment she
can look ethereal, delicate, and insanely beautiful. She could very well be
a Hitchcock heroine- having just watched "Marnie" that same morning, I
noted more than a passing resemblance and style nod to a young Tippi Hedren.
And then, just like that, her otherworldly beauty turns to sheer anguish-
the cool gaze turns grotesque and the face becomes almost hard to look at.
She is an incredible actress that has no fear and no limits. I just love
her- her cool, quiet in this movie speaks louder than words. There was not a
ton of fantastic dialogue in the film (all subtitles PS), but the narrative
unfolds visually- almost completely. I highly recommend this brilliant
movie- if you love fashion, adore that amazing heightened sense of drama
present in Hitchcock and old Italian films, and love movies as a form of
escape. It's genius. You should go to there. (There being your local movie
spot). Oh and don't miss Marisa Berenson as the matriach of the very dynastic
Recchi family- what a surprise! Worth the price of admission alone...OMG and
holy chic. She looks amazing. And that's what's up this lovely Monday in the MIA...here's to a great week
free of Hitchcockian drama and intensity (unless you somehow need that to
survive...). XO