Weak Ties by Pietro Pedrazzoli

Dealing with human ties is always an interesting and challenging topic to film; this is due to the fact that it involves a lot of emotions and touches on the psychological fragility of us as interacting creatures. Director “Pedrazzoli” succeeded in a very subtle way in delivering a fine example of human relations and interaction.

The storyline presented shows a real understanding of the art of scriptwriting, both (Pedrazzoli and Taurino) were able to transport and involve the viewers into each scene both emotionally and psychologically, the only minor drawback is the final scene that could have been omitted and the film could have been concluded with the farewell scene between “Taurino” and “Di Massa” at the gate. Acting wise, the combination of “Taurino” and “Di Massa” proved to be an effective one in a sense that they gave the part assigned much personality and they fervently performed their roles.

Technically, the choice of a cold color palette with blue being the most dominantly used, foreshadows the overall mood desired by the director who was more than effective in sending out different semantic messages through his professional use of the elements of cinematography especially the handheld camera movement to convey realism and again involve the audience with what is being presented. Careful attention was given to the well-crafted art direction, which in turn aided to the overall achievement of the work. The choice of Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” as the film’s soundtrack was not really the best of decisions, since it is a bit overused and could be categorized as “cliché”; the work in itself was more than capable in conveying the gloomy and melancholically overall mood wanted without the need for this kind of soundtrack.

Finally, the work reflects real maturity and professionalism from director “Pedrazzoli” due to the fact that he was able to mirror human interactions and relationships in an original manner, a matter that could be more than difficult to the most skilled of directors. The film is a must see as it leaves us with more than one question about the way we go about with our ties to the “other” and how the end of a tie could mean the beginning of a new one. We will be definitely looking forward to the next work done by this promising director in hopes that it would match this one if not over succeed it.

N.Khouri Ph.D

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