Il Divo (film)

Synopsis

As the film opens, Giulio Andreotti gives an inner monologue observing how he has managed to survive his tumultuous political career while his various detractors have died. A montage shows the murders of various people connected to Andreotti, including journalist Mino Pecorelli, Carabinieri general Carlo Alberto Dalla Chiesa, bankers Michele Sindona and Roberto Calvi, and former prime minister Aldo Moro.

The story of Giulio Andreotti, a seven-time prime minister of Italy notorious for his alleged ties to the Mafia. The narration spans the period from Andreotti's seventh election in 1992, to his failed bid for the presidency of the Italian Republic, to the Tangentopoli bribe scandal, until his trial in 1995.

Cast

Soundtrack

In 2008, the film score for Il Divo was composed by Teho Teardo and released on compact disc Universal in Italy. The soundtrack has not been released locally in North America or the United Kingdom and is only available by import.

Track listing

1. Fissa lo sguardo – Teho Teardo
2. Sono ancora qui – Teho Teardo
3. I miei vecchi elettori – Teho Teardo
4. Toop Toop – Cassius
5. Che cosa ricordare di lei? – Teho Teardo
6. Un'altra battuta – Teho Teardo
7. Il cappotto che mi ha regalato Saddam – Teho Teardo
8. Notes for a New Religion – Teho Teardo
9. Gammelpop – Barbara Morgenstern & Robert Lippok
10. Non ho vizi minori – Teho Teardo
11. Ho fatto un fioretto – Teho Teardo
12. Possiedo un grande archivio – Teho Teardo
13. Double Kiss – Teho Teardo
14. Nux Vomica – The Veils
15. Il prontuario dei farmaci – Teho Teardo
16. La corrente – Teho Teardo
17. 1. Allegro Flute concerto in D major(Il gardellino) – Antonio Vivaldi
18. Pavane, Op.50 – Gabriel Fauré
19. Da, da, da, ich lieb' Dich nicht, Du liebst mich nicht – Trio
20. E la chiamano estate – Bruno Martino

The film features also:

Themes

Andreotti’s win as an incumbent Prime Minister also reveals the theme of "Particracy, (partitocrazia) or rule by parties" in Italian politics - meaning the rule of Italian politics being strongly influence by a single dominant group of players who govern independent of the will of the voters. Some may argue that a new trend of populism rose in the politics of many European countries during the late 20th century, resulting in "a new breed of radical right-wing parties and movements" which gain majority favor through "charismatic leadership" and an appeal to "popular anxieties prejudices and resentments". In the movie, Andreotti served as Prime Minister multiple terms and some argue that he and many other political actors in Italy utilize what is termed “soft populism” which utilizes outlets such as media to appeal to the popular masses. However in the movie, Andreotti does not seem to emphasize any specific policies nor even campaign. Through the portrayal of Andreotti, the movie displays how political actors are able to maintain their power/position with little to no explanation as to how they did so. Also, the inability to completely distinguish whether Andreotti was or was not affiliated with the mafia murders conveys the lack of clarity in the mechanics of Italy's government. Andreotti’s incumbency reveals pentopartito, which consisted of five parties ranging from the right wing to center-right parties. This coalition formed essentially to prevent a left majority and was able to maintain a majority by strategic methods of give and take. By maintaining this system of taking turns, a “systematic corruption” formed where parties were no longer driven by the masses, but rather by their aligned parties, resulting in “exchanging resources”.

Critical reception

Il Divo received mostly positive reviews from critics. As of 14 December 2009, the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported 44 positive reviews and 4 negative, giving the film a 92% critical approval rating.

In Peter Brunette's review for The Hollywood Reporter, he praises the movie, pointing out the capacity of entertaining, the brilliant acting and the quality of the soundtrack. He notes that the movie will probably not have a great success outside Italy. The same elements emerge from the review of Jay Weissberg from Variety, who define the movie a masterpiece that will become a comparison stone for the years to come.

Andreotti himself walked out of the movie and dismissed the film, stating that it was "too much" and that he would be, in the end, judged "on his record".

Accolades

Aldo Signoretti and Vittorio Sodano were nominated for Best Achievement in Makeup for the 82nd Academy Awards. The film was nominated for the Grand Prix of the Belgian Syndicate of Cinema Critics.