Stay Away From Me is a stock standard romantic comedy in Italian with English subtitles. Set in the beautiful and romantic city of Rome, this movie is a bit of light fun and may bring a warm smile to anyone who typically enjoys this genre.
Enrico Brignano plays Jacopo, a marriage guidance counsellor who expertly dishes out advice to others on how to maintain a healthy marriage, but who has never enjoyed a successful relationship himself. Jacopo believes he is jinxed; ridiculous and terrible accidents will befall any woman who becomes romantically involved with him, hence the film title Stay Away From Me.
Jacopo meets Sara (played by Ambra Angiolini) at a wedding and he is completely smitten. Jacopo is so head-over-heels that he cannot bear to tell Sara about his jinx, providing the audience with plenty of chuckles while Sara discovers the unlucky truth through a series of bizarre accidents.
Brignano and Angliolini have a warm chemistry that works well on screen, although there are some missed opportunities for laughs. Some enjoyable light moments are provided from great cameo performances of Jacopo’s many clients as we go through their therapy with them.
Giampaolo Morelli as Mirko the dark and handsome love rival helps keep things interesting, while Fabio Troiano is completely forgettable as Jacopo’s sleazy best friend Fabrizio.
Occasionally this film has a retro look and feel, mildly and perhaps intentionally reminiscent of romantic classics such as La Dolce Vita and Summertime. However any similarities end there.
In spite of the thin storyline, Writer and Director Alessio Maria Federici sets a fast pace that helps the film to remain engaging and light fun throughout. The stereotypical Italian fiery passion and ardour work well with the romantic comedy genre, providing an energetic and fresh feel to this otherwise overly-clichéd film.
Stay Away From Me screens on Friday 3 October at 1:30pm and Wednesday 15 October at 6:30pm.
Reviewed by Ceri Horner
Twitter: @CeriHorner
Rating out of 10: 6.5
The Lavazza Italian Film Festival runs from 2 – 22 October 2014 exclusively at the Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas.
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