THE DOUBLE HOUR (Dir. Giuseppe Capotondi, 2009)
I didn’t know anything about this film going in and for that I'm grateful as I'm sure seeing a trailer or even a cursory look at a plot description would've ruined some of the suspense.
That said, I'll try my best in my summary not to spoil this film's at times confusing yet fascinating twists and turns.
Here goes: Ksenia Rappoport is a hotel maid in Turin who meets former cop turned security guard Filippo Timi at a speed dating event. Romance is in the air, but on a date at the villa he guards, armed masked men assault the couple and tie them up during the theft of tons of priceless paintings.
A scuffle ensues and Rappoport wakes up to find out Filippo was killed.
In a tramatic state she tries to go about her daily routines, but she's haunted by Filippo who she sees on a monitor at work and in the darkness of her apartment.
To say anything more than that would be a crime as THE DOUBLE HOUR (which means the time of day when the hour and minute are the same like 11:11) is full of wonderfully unpredicatable moments.
It's a keep guessing what's what experience, sensitively shot, with ace acting by the two leads, especially Rappoport whose frazzled tormented demeanor carries the film.
In his directorial debut, Capotondi, who's well experienced in the world of music videos, shows that he really knows how to create an effective engrossing mood. I was caught up in this film's aura from start to finish and was very satisfied by the ending, even if I was reminded a bit of the cold cutting conclusion of BODY HEAT.
Wait, was that a spoiler? I so tried not to do that.
More later...
Excellent review. I couldn't agree more with what you said: it's suspenseful, well paced and keeps you guessing. The two leads have great chemistry and if you're interested in seeing more from them, I strongly suggest you check out The Unknown Woman and Vincere (both are available on DVD and the latter is on Netflix Instant Watch).
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