The Italian painting āMeeting Placeā is a minimalistic, extremely fascinating, conversational mystical drama about a mysterious stranger fulfilling any cherished desire in exchange for crimes. Critics in the reviews, the film āMeeting Placeā is described as a chamber didactic tape with explicit references to āFaustā. It's no secret that laudatory or devastating ratings expressed in reviews can narrow the range of rating, sensational paintings, undoubtedly worth spending an hour and a half to watch. But the brainchild of Paolo Genovese does not face a sad fate. Despite the fact that the action of his picture develops in one location, and the intrigue rests on the strong connectedness of the scenes, the film does not have negative reviews due to fascinating dialogs and clever author juggling with plot elements. Cinema "Meeting Place" is praised by both filmmakers and the audience. This is evidenced by the significantly high rating of the tape - IMDb: 7.10.
The remake of the movie
Fashion for remakes in the modern film industry has been established for a long time and is not going to lose ground. Paolo Genovese is not far behind these trends. In 2016, he released the successful tragicomedy Ideal Strangers (IMDb: 7.00), other directors immediately began to shoot their own versions of a modest budget, but an exciting film. Literally a year later, the director did not waste time devising an original plot for his new masterpiece. Close to the original, he re-shoots the American television series Little Table in the Corner. Changing the format for a full meter, he took the main plots of the first season of the television show. In this case, the author removes one of the stories and the artist from the series makes him blind, who wants to restore his vision. Many respondents in their reviews of āMeeting Placeā (2017) justify these copyright decisions by Paolo Genovese.
Compared
Of course, itās a shame to certain fans of Genoveseās work that, after triumphant, innovative and original āIdeal Strangers,ā the director releases a remake. But in his defense it is worth noting that āA Table in the Cornerā is a little-known series, not very talentedly shot and played. Its charm is in a fantastic intriguing plan, therefore, as the reviews to the āMeeting Placeā say, the idea benefited from the fact that Genovese turned an American television project into a movie with leading Italian movie stars. Played by a mysterious man, Valerio Mastandrea, according to the majority, is more expressive than Xander Berkeley (Nikita, The Walking Dead) who plays the same role in the series. Valerio has a very mysterious character, while he is tired, inspiring confidence and fear at the same time, while not threatening. The hero of Xander Berkeley is less spectacular.
The remaining roles in the Italian version are also more expressive, especially Odoacer, embodied by Rocco Papaleo - very touching and sincere. By the way, three actors starred in the film, who played leading roles in Ideal Strangers.
Contacted the devil - blame yourself
Viewers in reviews of the movie āPlace of Meetingā are lost in conjecture, discussing who is actually a mysterious executor of desires. It is easy to mistake him for Satan, because many customers are sure that they are concluding a contract with the Devil. But a regular visitor to the cafe does not deceive anyone, does not tempt, does not lead to the path of crime, and does not even enjoy the fall of his customers. He doesnāt look very much like a tempter demon, but rather a psychologist with supernatural powers. The man listens attentively to everyone, scrupulously captures the information received in the diary, but does not give indulgences to anyone. Although it seems that he is much more pleasant when people do not follow sinister instructions, but embark on the true path. He does not judge anyone in words, although the heroās eyes are sometimes quite expressive, nevertheless, his detached attitude to situations is to some extent transmitted to the beholder.
By product price
Often, reviewers in reviews of the āMeeting Placeā position themselves as an intellectual sight that encourages viewers not only to worry about the fate of the characters, but to think about the nature of evil that is hidden in every person, about the continuous opposition of egoism and conscience that rages in the souls of each of us. It turns out that Paolo Genovese made a film about what price a person is willing to pay for something longed for. Everyone can try on this collision. The picture allows you to follow the internal demons, ultimately, to understand something new about yourself.
The abundance of situations and characters in the cinema provides rich ground for thought in the spirit of F.M. Dostoevsky. At the same time, according to cinema experts in the reviews on the āMeeting Placeā, tragicomedy is not deprived of suspense and drama. Individual clients are forced to act against each other, their fates intersect and develop in an unpredictable way.
Technical features
Like the original television show, the Genovese film was shot in a minimalistic manner. The camera rarely leaves the cafe, while showing only the sidewalk or part of the street in front of the building. Therefore, the charisma and professionalism of the actors involved in the project are extremely important. In the frame there are only conversations of the desire artist with visitors, the audience will learn about everything from the stories of the characters. The director and cameraman Fabrizio Lucca helps performers by varying scenes and angles, but the bulk of the artistic burden lies on the shoulders of movie stars who brilliantly cope with the task.
Universal story
The film is recommended for viewing by a wide audience. If an individual is not familiar with the contents of the television series āTable in the Cornerā or does not have a persistent principled prejudice regarding remakes, then watching a masterpiece by Paolo Genovese will surely bring him pleasure. Also, the tape will be appreciated by lovers of "conversational" cinema, psychological conflicts and moral upheavals will enthrall such a viewer with their head. You should not start viewing only because of interest in the unique national color of Italy. The action of the picture, of course, develops in Italy, but does not contain a fraction of anything specifically Italian. Reviews āThe meeting placeā is called the universal story of modern society, modern people, pressing moral principles, fantasies and crimes.