Facing Windows

Amazon.com

The beautiful and wonderfully named Giovanna Mezzogiorno joins the list of soulful Italian actresses with Facing Windows, a pleasant cinematic fancy. Her character is a married Mom in an ordinary apartment, whose life is affected by two things: her fascination with the handsome man who lives across the courtyard, and the sudden arrival in her home of an elderly amnesiac (played by the late Massimo Girotti)--a well-dressed man found walking on the street, dazed and lost. Turkish-born director Ferzan Ozpetek (Steam: The Turkish Bath) makes this simultaneously a slice of life and a vaguely fantastical situation. It probably all works out a little too neatly, but the unhurried pace and deep sympathy Ozpetek displays toward his main characters is refreshing. And when in doubt, he points the camera at the face of La Mezzogiorno, which solves all problems. --Robert Horton

Description

A young working-class wife and mother unlocks a freedom within her heart that she never expected. Don't miss this critically-acclaimed, award-winning romance.

Customer Reviews:

Worth watching despite trouble committing to one theme or another.......2007-08-24

'Facing Windows' had a lot of promise and, in general, is a pleasant enough viewing. But the early reviewer who I think has it spot-on is the one who says "Turkish-born director Ferzan Ozpetek...often loses his way." Exactly. That encapsulates the issue. Some here have praised this film's "multiple levels," but I think instead it's a lack of focus - it is, by turn, a portrait of a marriage, a detective story, and a story of new love. I don't see a dexterous intermingling of these threads; instead, it appears Ozpetek has trouble committing to one theme or another.

That said, I do recommend seeing the film. The beautiful Giovanna Mezzogiorno is a talented actress. And the core tale involving mystery man 'Simone' - of his heroic actions towards the end of WWII and his love that dare not speak its name - is the film's most intriguing and well executed thread.

un buen cine italiano.......2007-01-11

una buena pelicula italiana, el cine italiano esta mejorando.
recomendada para los que les gusta el cine italiano.
a good movie, something different. A+

"La Finestra di Fronte" Is a Genuine Pleasure to Watch.......2006-06-16

First, I must say that I found FACING WINDOWS (or "La Finestra di fronte") deeply affecting. It combines elements of history, suspense, romance, and sentimentality in a very polished and effective fashion. In fact, because of its sentimental heart, I would say that the film is quintessentially Italian, except the writer/director Ferzan Ozpetek is Turkish.

I appreciated the layers of storyline that Ozpetek created, and the film has such a lush sheen, it makes lower-middle class Italian life look pretty good. In fact, I enjoyed this movie so much, here's how far I have to stoop to find something to criticize:

Why do marketers insist on giving movies asinine taglines? In this film's case it is: "Desire has no bounds." This is so stupid, it would have put me off the movie had I been aware of it beforehand. (End of needless tirade.)

SIDELIGHT: The actor who plays the WWII survivor, Massimo Girotti, passed away shortly after the film's completion.

My friends were absolutely right, this film is out standing........2006-06-11

The beauty of this film is the way in which it balances many layers of story and character. Everyone in the film has something interesting happening in their lives and it all seems to revolve around the influence of the old man. These days, we are lucky if films give us one thing to think about, let alone many things. 'Facing Windows' (aka La Finestra di Fronte) is delightfully stimulating for both mind and heart.

I have to point out the performances in this film. 'Facing Windows' swept the David di Donatello Awards (Italian Oscars) for good reason. The film is brilliant but the performances are spectacular. Giovanna Mezzogiorno has vaulted straight to the top of my list of favorite actresses with her role here and in 2002's lovely film 'The Last Kiss' (L'Ultimo Bacio). She is the most dramatic Italian actress I think I have ever seen, able to combine genuine fragility with a toughness and intensity that will give you goose-bumps. She has the most cinematically beautiful face I think I've seen and a talent that is remarkably rare. In just two films, she has earned my trust entirely... I will be first in line to see anything else she does.

Massimo Girotti is equally powerful as the mysterious old man. He is able to convey every necessary emotion in this tricky role. This was to be Girotti's final role before passing in 2003. It is a performance you won't soon forget. Raoul Bova and Filippo Nigro are great in the secondary roles and round out one of the best ensemble casts of 2004.

'Facing Windows' is one of those aesthetically marvelous Italian films that sound as great as it looks. It is fun and surprising, unpredictable and touching. Giovanna Mezzogiorno is a special actress who is one of Europe's biggest stars. You will be seeing a lot more from her in the next two decades. Make it an effort to see or get this great Italian film! Can't recommend it enough.

A bittersweet love affair in modern Italy.......2005-12-15

This is the best film I've seen in perhaps six months or more. The direction by Turkish/Italian director Ferzan Ozpetek is consistently interesting, intriguing, beguiling and ultimately satisfying both emotionally and intellectually. The film is beautifully cut, and the acting, particularly by the fascinating Giovanna Mezzogiorno who plays the young mother of two whose name is also Giovanna, is first rate.

The story begins in a bakery during World War II when Davide Veroli (Massimo Girotti) is a baker's apprentice. We see him among the great earthen ovens and the warm loaves as he makes what appears to be a sprint out of the cave-like establishment. But he is pounced upon by the baker. They wrestle, a knife is grabbed and apparently the baker falls and there is blood on Davide's hands as he runs out into the streets.

Cut to modern times as Giovanna and her working-class husband, Filippo (Filippo Nigro) are crossing a bridge in the city. They meet an old man who seems lost and disoriented. He can't remember his name and he has no identification. Filippo takes pity on him and against his wife's wishes takes him home with them to their apartment. We know because of the man's age that the mystery of who he is has something to do with the men in the bakery scene from World War II.

But his story is only tangential to the central story of the film which is about Giovanna's brief affair with the man next door, Lorenzo (Raoul Bova), whose apartment window faces hers. This is a love story, a bitter-sweet one--which all great love stories should be in some sense, since life itself is bittersweet. It is framed by, and contrasted with, another love story, that involving the older man from many years ago.

The tension in the film revolves around the resolution of the affair between the married Giovanna and the handsome man who will soon be leaving the city. Will she abandon her marriage and her family for the excitement of a new man? Because the police can find out nothing about the old man, and because Giovanna's heart softens toward him, and because he is an elegant man of refinement, especially in the pastry arts--Giovanna's dream is to be a pastry chef--the man is allowed to stay for a while and the two are drawn together into friendship, the old man and the young woman.

That's enough of the plot--the development, the denouement, and the resolution of which are beautifully realized in both an artistic and an emotional sense. Instead let me say that the feel of modern Italy with its racial tensions and its old world versus new world differences are nicely expressed as the past makes itself felt on the present. The dialogue is wonderfully expressive and gives us the sense of authenticity and the kind of realistic effect seen only in the very best films. This is the first film directed by Ozpetek that I have seen, but it won't be the last.

But see this for Giovanna Mezzogiorno whose beautiful and expressive eyes and natural demeanor will hold you to the screen.

Facing Windows (La Finestra di fronte) [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.4 Import - Australia ]

Average customer rating:

a wonderfully made film about daily life
A random kaleidoscope of intersected destinies!
Leavening

Facing Windows (La Finestra di fronte) [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.4 Import - Australia ]
Director: Ferzan Ozpetek
Manufacturer: Palace Films
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000DLB93S

Product Description

Australia released, PAL/Region 4 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada. Languages: English Subtitles Italian Dolby Digital 5.1 Synopsis: Young married couple Giovanna (Giovanna Mezzogiorno) and Filippo (Filippo Nigro) have been married long enough to have become almost completely jaded by their lots in life, with most of their individual aspirations having been set aside some time ago. As their marriage begins to fall apart, the two encounter a strange old man (Massimo Girotti) who calls himself Simone since he can't seem to recall his real name or much about his past history. Filippo brings the man home to stay with them, which initially irritates Giovanna. Over time, she gradually befriends the confused old man and eventually notices a tattoo on his arm indicative of his being a WWII Holocaust survivor. Taking "Simone" to an old Roman ghetto, she helps him remember his name (Davide) and his time spent in that very ghetto -- which includes recalling the very painful memory of his lover Simone's capture and murder at the hands of the Nazis. Meanwhile, Giovanna has been spending her free time impulsively peeping across the street at her attractive neighbor Lorenzo (Raoul Bova) -- who in turn has been spying on her. Giovanna is thus forced to decide between Filippo and Lorenzo, as well as possibly realizing a long dormant professional dream that her new friend Davide may be able to help her undertake. Extras: Interactive Menu Behind the scenes Featurette Filmographies Photo Gallery Scene Access Trailer(s)

Customer Reviews:

a wonderfully made film about daily life.......2007-05-15

beautifully written screenplay, very human and very down to earth realistic. angelic-like leading female actress performed so well and so naturally true to the role she played. a marriage on the edge of falling apart, a hidden desire trying to break through and break out the cocoon of a boring and hopeless struggle of life, marriage, kids, a quiet desire and passion for a handsome man, a banker instead of constantly laid off husband... then a strange old man who was a passionate lover when he was a young, now suffered a deteriorating alzheimer's disease, and often inevitably enough injected in a movie like this, he was also a survivor of the holocaust stumbled into her awfully routine and hectic life...it didn't not abruptly and dramatical change her routine life but like a slow cooker, simmering out a flavor she never thought would have possibly encountered. for better or for worse?
the story didn't exaggerate anything or stupidly ruined it with pretentious scenario and plot twists. this is a very nice european film that we rarely could find in hollywood's productions.
it told you something so subtle and so sublime that when a mysterious element falls onto your lap, something either wonderful or painful might happen before you know it. life goes on.....

a short note here: you can rent this dvd in any video renting stores and view it on your regular dvd player. not as what amazon said. don't miss this wonderful film.

A random kaleidoscope of intersected destinies! .......2006-10-10

Admirable and ambitious movie, that recreates the life and times of woman trapped by the boredom of the quotidian, married with a conformist man; who will experience a sudden but powerful turning point with a man of dark past and loved by a shy peeping tom journalist who lives in front of her home, and spies her day by day.

This woman will experience and finally will understand the meaning of the existence, when she notices the awful truth that underlies beneath the painful experience of this old man; whose origins are in the middle of the WW2.

A movie who immediately connects us with that classic film of Ettore Scola "A special day" and "The rear window", where the bitter existential solitude of a unsatisfied woman will find out its real significance, when she knows, exudes and breathes, the awesome dragons that still nestle in the human soul.

Magnificent in sum grade.

Leavening.......2006-05-28

Missed opportunities, offers of Love and Passion rejected or denied, dreams deferred but never forgotten: we are in Director Ferzan Ozpetek land once again in his humane and thoughtful as well as thought provoking "Facing Windows" ("La Finestra di Fronte").
Ozpetek's world is always filled with secret loves, hidden passions and unfulfilled dreams particularly this film as well as in his "His Secret Life."
Giovanna (Giovanna Mezzogiorno) lives a good though dull life of husband (Fillipo, played by Filippo Nigro), children and a job she dislikes. Giovanna is actually quite mean to and unforgiving of her loving husband, Filippo who obviously adores her but has a hard time pleasing her on all fronts. One day a confused older gentleman, Simone (Massimo Girotti) stumbles into Giovanna and Filippo and inadvertently changes their lives.
Ozpetek exhibits a deep understanding and sympathy for his characters and this humanity shines through every frame of this film. Windows work two ways: they allow you to look out at the world but conversely windows also allow the world to observe you.

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