Kiss Me Again

Over a career spanning two decades, Italian filmmaker Gabriele Muccino has repeatedly delved into affairs of the heart. Starting with Ecco fatto’s tale of youthful romance, the writer/director began to ponder love in all its forms, ranging from physical (But Forever in My Mind) to marital (Remember Me), and parental (The Pursuit of Happyness) to selfless (Seven Pounds). In between, he looked at the impact of pregnancy on a relationship in ensemble effort The Last Kiss (L'ultimo bacio). His latest film, Kiss Me Again (Baciami ancora), returns to the characters from that film after a ten-year absence.

The passage of time is mirrored on screen, with womanising Carlo (Stefano Accorsi, Shall We Kiss?) and his wife Giulia (now played by Vittoria Puccini, Colpo d'occhio) on bitter terms after years apart. Their daughter Sveva (newcomer Sara Girolami) represents the only tangible link between them, yet neither can sever their emotional bond. As their divorce approaches, the return of one friend (Giorgio Pasotti, What Is Love?) and the unhinged actions of another (Claudio Santamaria, Casino Royale) see their paths again combined. As does Carlo’s inability to move on, despite other amorous entanglements.

With a broader focus than its predecessor (and the unnecessary US remake), Kiss Me Again contemplates the complexities of love, lust and life on the cusp of middle age. As such, helmer and scribe Muccino explores the intricacies of the circumstances faced by his protagonists, including custody arrangements, health scares, marital disharmony, mental unrest, infertility and learning from the mistakes of the past.

Although the film offers a considerable snapshot of mature malaise, it remains an uneven effort. The over-extended running length fails to inject resonance into the intertwined storylines, despite the universality of the issues faced by the characters. Indeed, the truth of the narrative is readily apparent, yet is handled a little too neatly. As a result, the problems presented are removed from realism, with melodramatic flourishes common.

However, the cast is equipped to handle the material, particularly the five men (Accorsi, Pasotti, Santamaria, Angels & Demons’ Pierfrancesco Favino and 30, Please!’s Marco Cocci) at the centre. Each provides continuity from the previous instalment, whilst demonstrating the necessary emotional growth. Similarly, Muccino’s direction resembles the earlier offering, as well as aesthetically evolving to reflect the subject. The end result is an expressive examination of mid-life love in all its ever-changing and compromising guises, even if it unravels as expected.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Kiss Me Again
Director: Gabriele Muccino
Italy, 2010, 139 min

Out now on DVD
Distributor: Madman
Rated MA 15+