Resurrecting Rome’s Old Ghosts

Read Time:3 Minute, 21 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Suburra
–

Genre: Action, Crime, Drama
Year Released: 2015, 2023 Unearthed Films Blu-ray
Runtime: 2h 10m
Director(s): Stefano Sollima
Writer(s): Giancarlo De Cataldo, Carlo Bonini, Sandro Petraglia, Stefano Rulli
Cast: Pierfrancesco Favino, Claudio Amendola, Elio Germano, Alessandro Borghi, Greta Scarano, Giulia Gorietti
Where To Watch: available September 26, 2023; pre-order here www.unearthedfilms.com, www.mvdshop.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: Amidst the somber overtones of ambition and corruption, SUBURRA unfolds a sinister narrative in contemporary Rome, shedding light on a dangerous playing field where political dreams intertwine with criminal machinations in a grim dance of power and betrayal. Through the lens of a daring venture aimed at transforming an ancient harbor into a sanctuary of modern excess, the movie catapults its audience into a vortex of escalating tension that spirals towards a deadly climax over a harrowing week of deceit and anarchy.

As the story unfurls, we are pulled into a dark plot where Rome, eager to redefine its character, becomes entangled in a sinister gambit encircling a Vegas-style venture at Ostia. Here, Pierfrancesco Favino brilliantly encapsulates the angst of Filippo, a politician trapped in the mafia's cold, unforgiving grasp. A night of misadventure descends into tragedy, thrusting Filippo into a murky underworld sparking a chain of confrontations among Rome's nefarious factions. Within this storm emerges Claudio Amandola's Samurai, a stoic envoy from the southern crime dynasties, striving to navigate the turbulent narrative seas to keep the venture on course amidst the engulfing chaos.

Drawing upon Giancarlo de Cataldo and Carlo Bonini’s narrative, SUBURRA transitions under Stefano Sollima’s astute directorial lens into a turbulent exploration of the sinister ballet of politics and organized crime, accentuated by Rome’s incessant rain—a symbolic plea for divine intervention perhaps?

The film steers away from the gloried fiery trials of ancient Rome; instead, it ushers in a city amidst relentless storms, symbolically evoking attempts to cleanse its corroded soul. This delicate narrative technique amplifies the intricately penned script, vividly depicting a town caught in an unyielding struggle between political ideals and criminal undertakings.

Visually, SUBURRA indulges in a blend of distorted shots, slow-motion, and lavish baroque decors, balancing on a fine line of whimsy yet retaining a charm that nudges at a Fellinian narrative ethos. The film unfolds a complex mesh of crime, politics, religion, and real estate, steering clear of frenetic editing typical of suspense-heavy narratives.

As SUBURRA’s narrative surges towards a climactic vortex, it’s not merely Rome's spiritual and political essence at risk, but the city trembles on the cusp of a fallout. The compelling narrative, buoyed by an exhilarating ensemble performance, sets a chilling premise for the ensuing TV series, ensuring the reverberation of SUBURRA’s narrative realm resonates well beyond its cinematic experience, casting a grim reflection on societal tumult and the boundless caverns of human greed.

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[photo courtesy of UNEARTHED FILMS, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]

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