AFTER MIDNIGHT (Dopo Mezzanotte) (2004) - ♦♦♦♦

Directed by - Davide Ferrario

Written by - Davide Ferrario

Starring - Giorgio Pasotti, Francesca Inaudi, Fabio Troiano, Francesca Picozza

"The old and new of cinema meet in Davide Ferrario's charming gem of a film, which was partially shot in the Italian National Museum of Cinema in Turin's spectacular Mole Antonelliana building.

After Midnight is the story of an unlikely love story between the introverted and irrepairibly shy night guard of the aforementioned museum and a hot tempered fast food clerk. The woman also represents an anti-demsel in distress, in trouble with the law after losing her temper with her boss and struggling to get rid of her manipulative and aggressive boyfriend, who is also part of Turin's criminal world.

The blend of old and new cinema is evidently a great asset in this film. The old is represented by the overall charm of the film which openly recalls classic movies of old - especially those of Buster Keaton whom the leading character aims to represent. On he other hand, the film is shot using advanced and independent digital filmmaking techniques of the time, and the story itself is marked by evident current themes that mark the storyline and its setting.

After Midnight is full of creativity. And while every now and again the film falls flat or rushes through some of its themes, showing a more vulnerable side, its timeless appeal never wanes down also because of the colourful nature of the characters, that seems to make up for the occasional signs of lack of originality in the storyline.

Comedy, Italy