I, Leonardo (2019) User Reviews

A few interesting moments, but an overall feeling of disappointment

[andrew-811-639783 · 6/10 · 22 November 2019]

First, the film is made with abundant digital effects, which for me is always a minus. There are some nice shots of nature, but these are momentary and one cannot enjoy them. The camera inevitably cuts to the next scene too quickly, as if in a rush, but the movie overall goes nowhere. Most of the film is set in a dark room where leonardo repeats certain phrases again and again. There is some suggestive male semi-nudity, and the only human relationships developed within the film are the weird and off putting relationships Leonardo has with his apprentices - young boys, who come to him prepubescent. By the end of the film, I was left with a disappointing aftertaste. It was as if my idea of Leonardo as a genius had collapsed. He was a genius, but one feels that his life was empty and wasted, and the things he lived for basically don't matter in the long run. He produced so few paintings that its almost ridiculous. I can't help but wonder what Leonardo did for 65 years, other than walk around his dark room repeating the same sentences over and over. Unfortunately, the film does not answer that question and does not inspire.