It's not often I get to see a movie based on a book or graphic novel AFTER having read the original work.
In this case, it happened, so I managed to actually pay more attention to details, and to see how it would have been adapted on screen by its SAME author, nonetheless!
Now, this didn't necessarily mean that it would be a good adaptation, the mere presence of the original author in the production wasn't a benefit (it already happened with another Italian movie based on a book, THE GIRL IN THE FOG, directed by its author and with the same main actor as this one, and that didn't make it so well despite it).
Also, I'm not one of those who demand absolute fidelity from an adaptation, because like many others have said "What works on page, doesn't necessarily work on screen"
And author Igort, as the director, perfectly understood this, and tried to give life to his graphic novel making the right adjustments, reproducing most of its style and adding new elements.
On the bright side, of course we must give the greatest praise to the main trio of characters. As always, Toni Servillo managed to show again his impeccable versatility, managing to shapeshift completely, from the psychological side to the physical one, especially thanks to the make-up, giving us an old, but still aggressive and proud "Guappo" ready to have his revenge no matter what.
And alongside him, a surprisingly fitting Carlo Buccirosso, better known as a comedic actor, but that here manages to be perfectly fine as Servillo's old companion, still ready to join the fray.
And also a very good Valeria Golino, that maybe could have been even more powerful.
The movie is also worthy a watch thanks to the impressive technical side, from the sets to the colorful cinematography. That together manage to give back the idea of a Naples totally immersed in the Noir aura.
But alas, this isn't enough to make this title a success.
Starting with one of the most troubled sides, the direction itself, managed by Igort, that starts off pretty well, managing to give the idea of a surreal shadow on the gritty and Noir atmosphere. But still, we're talking about a newcomer, an artist who never tried to direct a movie, and this can be easily noticed in the way Igort tried to mix the styles of Comic Books and Cinema. But unlike other peculiar experiments like SCOTT PILGRIM, the result is really a fragile one, making the narrative rhythm of the movie quite confused and uneven.
This reflects also on the action scenes, that sometimes gave me the impression of being almost part of a Videogame, and that frequently switch between slow-motion and more rapid moments.
And the screenplay itself fails miserably in reproducing the sense of the original Graphic Novel, with many of its main points treated too much superficially and without the same strenght, almost bringing you to ask why the characters act in a certain way.
So, all in all, not a trashy movie like many said, but still a failed experiment that could have done more.
Still worth a watch, but maybe for just one occasion.
In this case, it happened, so I managed to actually pay more attention to details, and to see how it would have been adapted on screen by its SAME author, nonetheless!
Now, this didn't necessarily mean that it would be a good adaptation, the mere presence of the original author in the production wasn't a benefit (it already happened with another Italian movie based on a book, THE GIRL IN THE FOG, directed by its author and with the same main actor as this one, and that didn't make it so well despite it).
Also, I'm not one of those who demand absolute fidelity from an adaptation, because like many others have said "What works on page, doesn't necessarily work on screen"
And author Igort, as the director, perfectly understood this, and tried to give life to his graphic novel making the right adjustments, reproducing most of its style and adding new elements.
On the bright side, of course we must give the greatest praise to the main trio of characters. As always, Toni Servillo managed to show again his impeccable versatility, managing to shapeshift completely, from the psychological side to the physical one, especially thanks to the make-up, giving us an old, but still aggressive and proud "Guappo" ready to have his revenge no matter what.
And alongside him, a surprisingly fitting Carlo Buccirosso, better known as a comedic actor, but that here manages to be perfectly fine as Servillo's old companion, still ready to join the fray.
And also a very good Valeria Golino, that maybe could have been even more powerful.
The movie is also worthy a watch thanks to the impressive technical side, from the sets to the colorful cinematography. That together manage to give back the idea of a Naples totally immersed in the Noir aura.
But alas, this isn't enough to make this title a success.
Starting with one of the most troubled sides, the direction itself, managed by Igort, that starts off pretty well, managing to give the idea of a surreal shadow on the gritty and Noir atmosphere. But still, we're talking about a newcomer, an artist who never tried to direct a movie, and this can be easily noticed in the way Igort tried to mix the styles of Comic Books and Cinema. But unlike other peculiar experiments like SCOTT PILGRIM, the result is really a fragile one, making the narrative rhythm of the movie quite confused and uneven.
This reflects also on the action scenes, that sometimes gave me the impression of being almost part of a Videogame, and that frequently switch between slow-motion and more rapid moments.
And the screenplay itself fails miserably in reproducing the sense of the original Graphic Novel, with many of its main points treated too much superficially and without the same strenght, almost bringing you to ask why the characters act in a certain way.
So, all in all, not a trashy movie like many said, but still a failed experiment that could have done more.
Still worth a watch, but maybe for just one occasion.