big rap for this one - un certain regard nominee at cannes
and subject matter - euthanasia - not seen before in film mode
the opening scene - closeup of a 70's style amber glass sliding door
a muted discussion heard and advice given it is still possible to stop
miele (honey) then emerges, sits down, dons ipod and loud music heard
the soundtrack to the film being what is playing in her head - nice touch
she then seen boarding a flight to los angeles and a late phone call taken
irene (her real name) curtly telling the caller he must talk to her superior
so something covert going on - next scene she welcomed back to a l a hotel
5 star too it seems - money not an issue - next day she is on a bus to mexico
the tour guide advising passports needed at the border but not likely checked
our italian lady then seen repeating in english - 'i want to put my dog to sleep'
and then in a pharmacy securing a couple of packets of the required drugs
cut back to italy and she is in a small apartment talking to a man and wife
she obviously terminally ill and then the routine of assisting in her death
the drug and her requested alcohol, chocolates and music then served up
and clear instructions that only her fingerprints to remain on the glasses
poignant - tears flow and honey remaining composed but compassionate
as she leaves she is handed an envelope containing a large amount of cash
thus confirming the lucrative and commercial nature of her illegal work
then she is seen plunging into the sea as if cleansing herself of the deed
and more revealed of her private life - a lover with a wife and children
a nearby father who lost his wife and irene's mother some 10 years ago
scenes of her visiting him and reminiscing over photos of happier days
she lives in solitude by the beach near rome supposedly studying there
this obviously to account for her regular trips there and beyond as seen
her partner in crime makes an appearance to discuss upcoming cases
a repeat of the process shown with an ill man choosing to end his life
his sister handing over the cash and stating honey has 'a real shitty job'
next - an architect - the preliminary visit goes well and a connection
he talks about his profession and the wonder of large domed mosques
and a theory that a placed piece of paper in a mosque would float up
she leaves the drugs and routinely tells him to think about the process
him stating it better than jumping out the window and upsetting people
but a later phone-call reveals he is not terminal but merely depressed
this then a real problem for irene - euthanasia - ok - murder - not so
things get ugly as she tries to retrieve the drugs and extract herself
similarly on her domestic front the lover has to go - knows too much
irene is young, beautiful, alone and now compromised - we're hooked
she makes the decision to give up her vocation which is not so easy
her partner not so happy but the latest case has unsettled her big time
the architect makes a surprise visit to return the drugs and all is well
irene realises she is quite fond of him and promises to keep in touch
but after the visit a fear that suicide is still possible and a dash to rome
too late - police swarming around his apartment - he has done the jump
final scene - off to istanbul - paper on mosque floor - floats up - nice
what a richly satisfying film - a serious subject very deftly handled
sparking after-viewing discussions about the film and euthanasia
that being the likely point of it - more discussion much needed
and a change to it's current legal and social categorization
the italian film festival - come good on the second one
not sure how many more to be seen - but in the mood...
