| RATING: | 60% |
| FORMAT: | DVD |
A deeply enigmatic Giulio Andreotti stares out from practically every frame of this film. Almost winking from his mask-like visage, he virtually begs us to decipher the hidden meanings behind his poker face - even delivering his dialogue to camera. Yet this film never finally solves this mystery or even suggests that there is much beyond a man who wishes to survive in the rough world of Italian politics - which he does - as did Talleyrand before him in French politics. Despite 26 arrests for Mafia association and murder, no charge ever stuck. Yet, the circumstantial evidence against him is pretty overwhelming.
The basic problem this movie has is in how to make someone who keeps his emotions buttoned-up an interesting central character. The fact that he is not the hero is bad enough, but we never get beyond the impassive face and that others, too, are as mystified as we are regarding his true motives and passions. It might better have been called The Man Who Wasn't There.
Here the style is everything (in representing nothing) as the camera is choreographed around and along the corridors of power. And we learn no insights into the nature of power and why so many seek it and why so few achieve it. The only interesting question asked is can evil be used to create good via state-sponsored terrorism? For politicians the answer is yes, since the murder of political opponents smoothes the way for the progress of ones own political policies - which, in themselves, might be good. However, the moral compromise here takes its psychological toll.
It would seem that Italian politics is still run by the Machiavelli-inspiring Borgias - purchased by organized crime.
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