This relationship/first-date comedic drama from Rome-born director Paolo Genovese (also one of many co-scripters) is a slightly strange experience, even though stars Pilar Fogliati and Edoardo Leo are subtle, likeable and pleasingly funny. But they’re not exactly the main characters herein.
Using a plot that seems surprisingly indebted to Inside Out (or maybe the short-lived American TV show Herman’s Head), this has Piero (Leo) and Lara (Fogliati) having what’s revealed as a first date at her handsome apartment. Questions quickly arise (if she doesn’t know him all that well then why invite him to her home for dinner?), but we’re also immediately introduced to the conceit that will rule the story, and meet the people who live in their respective heads.
Without the clear delineation of the emotions in young Riley’s head in Inside Out (Joy, for example), this instead has Lara’s ladies and Piero’s dudes depicted in cluttered rooms and endlessly arguing amongst themselves. Maybe this is because Piero and Lara are older, and more eccentric and neurotic than Riley, but it does create a little confusion, with only horny Eros (Claudio Santamaria) and romantic Romeo (Maurizio Lastrico) in Piero’s brain making real impact.
Like many people in movies (and in real life as well), Lara and Piero spend way too much time in their heads and, in the end, this works better when the characters behave more impulsively, and speak more from the heart, as the emotions within, well, lose their minds.
Director Genovese is best-known for a bunch of rom-com-ish outings, including the international hit Perfect Strangers, and yet while that film had a light and nimble tone, this feels somewhat weighed down by its brainy premise. And yes, the Queen song of the Australian title is eventually sung, and amusingly badly too.
Review rating: ★★★☆☆
Somebody to Love has now wrapped up its time in cinemas, with a streaming release expected soon.
