Set in the picturesque locales of Rome, Netflix’s latest Italian romance “Nuovo Olimpo” is a nostalgic reminiscence of lost love and endurance. Directed by Turkish-Italian film director and screenwriter, Ferzan Özpetek, the film leaves a lot to speculations and random “What if’s”. Maybe it is because the film’s trajectory was designed to showcase a cinematic experience shadowing the lives of two closeted men in 1970s. The rustic cinematography does bring back fond memories of old cinema, but the nostalgia ends once the main leads are separated. If you have watched “Your Name Engraved Herein”, then “Nuovo Olimpo” might strike a jarring resemblance to the Taiwanese classic. Ferzan Özpetek does his level best to depict a gay romance in difficult times and the message does resonate with the current times as well. Homophobia is still prevalent and existent, so the deliverance isn’t lost. And yet, something is missing. Join us as we talk about this movie in depth!

Synopsis-

Late 70s. They are young, beautiful, and just 25 years old. They meet by chance and fall madly in love. But an unexpected event separates them. For thirty years, however, they chase the hope of finding each other again because they still love each other.

Storyline and Chemistry

The film explores the decades-long romance between the main leads, Enea (Damiano Gavino) and Pietro (Andrea Di Luigi). They first meet at a film set where Enea is working as a film assistant and Pietro is a passerby (who is more curious about Enea than the ongoing shot). Their second happenstance occurs in a in a movie theatre called the “Nuovo Olimpo”, which screens arthouse classics. The theatre is also notoriously famous for being a safe haven for young gay men who tend to meet and have quickies in the toilet. Enea does draw him out for a quickie but Pietro refuses; it’s obvious he is in the act but he doesn’t want to do it in the toilet. He prefers having sex in a private space; Enea delivers by renting his close friend’s (ex-lover’s) breathtaking apartment for a secret rendezvous which quickly develops into something more meaningful. They are two young men exploring their newfound feelings for each other. Good times come to an end when violent protests break out next day and the two men are separated. The remaining film is a hurtful rendering of their social lives as they pin after each other. Enea becomes an out & proud film director, in a relationship with his lover, Antonio (Alvise Rigo). Pietro is a well known oncologist, happily married to Giulia (Greta Scarano). But men seem happy in their perfect lives and yet secretly yearn for each other. The ending is as predictable as it can be.

Is It A Worthwhile Watch

Well, people may have varied opinions about this film. Some might enjoy it while others might question the depravity of the storyline that sorely focuses on the separation period of the long lost lovers. There is no “Happy Ending” on the horizon, so if you can’t handle an open ending, you should probably steer clear of this movie. Like I mentioned already, the storyline is littered with inexcusable “What if’s”.

What if Enea & Pietro hadn’t separated on that fateful day? What if Enea had found the heartfelt letter that Pietra left for him with Nuovo Olimpo’s cashier? What if Pietro had tried to reach out to Enea, now that he was a famous director? Could they have been together instead of being in two different yet meaningless relationships?

Regrettably, the film doesn’t answer any of these questions and you are left at the crossroads to draw your own conclusion. The lead pair do have some chemistry, so you can tune in for their sake!

Rating- 3 out of 5

Streaming on- Netflix