La Finestra di fronte (Facing Windows) (2003)

63% of critics liked it
(65 reviews)
85% of users liked it
(5,432 ratings)

Young married couple Giovanna (Giovanna Mezzogiorno) and Filippo (Filippo Nigro) have been married long enough to have become almost completely jaded by their lots in life, with most of their individual aspirations having been set aside some time ago. As their marriage begins to fall apart, the two… More Young married couple Giovanna (Giovanna Mezzogiorno) and Filippo (Filippo Nigro) have been married long enough to have become almost completely jaded by their lots in life, with most of their individual aspirations having been set aside some time ago. As their marriage begins to fall apart, the two encounter a strange old man (Massimo Girotti) who calls himself Simone since he can't seem to recall his real name or much about his past history. Filippo brings the man home to stay with them, which initially irritates Giovanna. Over time, she gradually befriends the confused old man and eventually notices a tattoo on his arm indicative of his being a WWII Holocaust survivor. Taking "Simone" to an old Roman ghetto, she helps him remember his name (Davide) and his time spent in that very ghetto -- which includes recalling the very painful memory of his lover Simone's capture and murder at the hands of the Nazis. Meanwhile, Giovanna has been spending her free time impulsively peeping across the street at her attractive neighbor Lorenzo (Raoul Bova) -- who in turn has been spying on her. Giovanna is thus forced to decide between Filippo and Lorenzo, as well as possibly realizing a long dormant professional dream that her new friend Davide may be able to help her undertake. ~ Ryan Shriver, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 46 min.
Directed By: Ferzan Ozpetek
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Apr 10, 2004 Wide
On DVD: Nov 2, 2004
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics

Critic Reviews

Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
The characters are compelling enough to make it worth plowing through the subtitles.
Richard Nilsen, Arizona Republic
There are two stories in Facing Windows, one of them profound and deeply moving, the other pure soap opera.
Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Ozpetek ends up with a lot of balls in the air, and he has to do some scrambling to keep up. He pulls it off, but it feels like he's making this harder than it needs to be.
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post
As the relationship progresses between Giovanna and Davide, Facing Windows becomes refined with deeper truths.
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
Thanks to fine performances and a grounded script, the pieces of this intriguing little puzzle all manage to fit.
Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The film's puzzlelike structure is a help; Simone's secret may not be hard to guess, but watching him work it out with the aid of Giovanna and Lorenzo consistently holds our interest.
Boyd van Hoeij, european-films.net
Cast and production values are serviceable but bland and there are some hiccoughs in the story, making this intriguing film perhaps best suited for a viewing on DVD at home.
Enrique Buchichio, Uruguay Total
Sus mayores logros quizás están en la manipulación de los dos tiempos en que se narra la película (...)
Anthony Del Valle, Las Vegas Mercury
[It] gives off a lot of pleasure: in the performances, the texture, the moment-by-moment changes in emotional temperature.
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
A stylish film, but a contrived one that wears on its characters like a straitjacket
Sean Means, Salt Lake Tribune
Strong performances by Girotti ... and Mezzogiorno make director Fernan Ozpetek's dovetailed stories of forbidden love compelling and vibrant.
Jeff Vice, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
A shallow melodrama that seems more suited to daytime television or one of those Lifetime cable network movies.
Matt Kelemen, Las Vegas CityLife
Ozpetek continues to explore his pet themes in his latest film while toning down the melodramatic excesses and meandering storylines that dragged down his previous work.
Steve Schneider, Orlando Weekly
Undermines its central mystery while posing another: 'What in God's name is this film trying to say?'
Neil Smith, BBC
Blends romance, mystery and fantasy to beguiling, if slightly bewildering, effect.
John Beifuss, Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)
Aspires to be a self-actualization session for stifled wives, a plea for gay rights, a Holocaust story and a class in pastry appreciation, all at once...
Kevin Lally, Film Journal International
Provides a fine showcase for a rising star of Italian cinema, Giovanna Mezzogiorno ... and a final salute to an Italian veteran, Massimo Girotti.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Its easily digestible lessons on life failed to stimulate my more hard-edged appetite.

Read all 18 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Stefanie C

A haunting film on memory, love and loss. Don't dismiss your dreams ~ Demand them!
Arash X

What a brilliant movie, Touching & mind-blowing, Simply superb with great perfs & a beautiful music score, Interesting portrayal of realistic characters, A movie that manages to be emotional without falling into trite sentimentalism, A movie I won't forget easily
Mark A

A complex, multi-layered tale that tried to veer off into bodice-ripper land a couple of times, but managed to steer clear. Giovanna (Giovanna Mezzogiorno) and her husband, Filippo (Filippo Nigro) find a disoriented old man on the street and take him in. The story revolves around… More
A complex, multi-layered tale that tried to veer off into bodice-ripper land a couple of times, but managed to steer clear. Giovanna (Giovanna Mezzogiorno) and her husband, Filippo (Filippo Nigro) find a disoriented old man on the street and take him in. The story revolves around their efforts to discover who he is and where he belongs. The presence of this mystery gentleman triggers repercussions in their marriage, their career choices, and their family dynamic. There was a voyeuristic aspect to the story that caused an overly Romantic diversion. This viewer felt that the story might have been stronger without that distraction. But, even allowing for that, the film itself proved to be quite entertaining. The actors delivered quite believable characters and the interactions were suitably complex, conveying mystery without being mystifying. The script seemed without unnecessary frills, except for the aforementioned romantic element, but even that cannot overshadow this viewer's general satisfaction. The scenery is muted as most of the action occurs at night, but there is beauty to be found in abundance here.
Lesley N

Part thoughtful drama, part soap opera, as an old man with memory loss gatecrashes into a squabbling married couple's life and proceeds to shake things up a bit. Watchable enough with some good observations and good acting along the way, but I'm not sure the ultimate message… More
Part thoughtful drama, part soap opera, as an old man with memory loss gatecrashes into a squabbling married couple's life and proceeds to shake things up a bit. Watchable enough with some good observations and good acting along the way, but I'm not sure the ultimate message goes much beyond "follow your dreams", which Pixar does so much better.
Emily B

An interesting film from Italy. Worth seeing.