Synopsis

Manual of Love is a charming, bittersweet comedy about the mysterious nature of love. The ups and downs of relationships are chronicled through four intertwining episodes, each one played out by a different couple. The innocent, dreamlike state of falling in love; the heart-wrenching phase of relationship crisis; the impulsive and frenetic epiphany of betrayal; and the lonesome, tragic freefall of being abandoned. The storys are both everyday and extraordinary, sweet and moviing, romantic and funny. "The Manual of Love" chronicles the events that many couples go through in their lives. It’s a love story, observed through a kaleidoscope of colours depicting the four phases of love: 'Falling in Love', 'the Crisis', 'the Betrayal' and 'the Abandonment'.

What The Critics Say

"The first half is by far the funniest, although director Giovanni Veronesi manages to squeeze laughs out of almost every situation without resorting to cheap shots or artifice." Andrew L Urban URBAN CINEFILE "This film is such a delight. It’s so Italian, it’s deliciously wry and funny and sentimental. I couldn’t imagine this film in any other language, it just wouldn’t work as well. The cast of stellar Italian performers hit just the right note and the Rome locations bring a lovely veracity to these tales of amore, disappointment and recovery. The co-writer and director was Giovanni Veronesi who as a sociologist and philosopher set out to really think about how ridiculous, sweet and vulnerable we all can be about love. He certainly achieved what he set out to do in this very funny life lesson. 4 STARS" Margaret Pomeranz ABC AT THE MOVIES "The soundtrack is upbeat and lively, and the direction is tight enough from Giovanni Veronesi, but the failure to capitalise on a very strong opening stanza sadly leaves Manual of Love lacking. There are scattered moments throughout that are worthwhile, and certainly there is insight into relationships to be found, but in the end everything works out for the best - which is, of course, how it happens in life too, isn't it? 3 STARS" Mark Lavercombe HOOPLA REVIEWS

"... it is very, very Italian, and that's its charm. And the cast of some very popular Italian actors. Carlo Verdone too is excellent as the doctor. There's some really good people in it, and the characters are interesting and so on." David Stratton ABC AT THE MOVIES "The Manual of Love is witty in a very few parts, but generally tedious, too long for this material and a profile of life’s losers looking anywhere but within themselves for the cause of their own unhappiness." Richard Leonard THE CATHOLIC WEEKLY "This was selected to open last October's Italian Film Festival in Brisbane and proved so popular it's now having a regular season at Palace Centro cinemas. ... played out on eye-catching locations around Rome and the nearby coast, the backgrounds are a significant part of this movie's pleasures." Des Partridge THE COURIER MAIL

The Inside Story While "The Manual Of Love" is a fictional story, Director Giovanni Veronesi says, "I have also been through all the phases shown in the movie, but despite the fact that as a sociologist and a philosopher I set out to theoretically think and write about love, I’m convinced that it is a mysterious and dark feeling that nobody will ever be able to understand." Giovanni's probably right, because love means something different to all of us, The Oxford Dictionary defines the word 'love' in ways that are familiar to most of us. love — n. [1] deep affection or fondness. [2] sexual passion. [3] sexual relations. [4] a beloved one; sweetheart (often as a form of address). b colloq. form of address regardless of affection. [5] colloq. person of whom one is fond. [6] affectionate greetings. Love is something everyone craves, even those who claim to have no need for it. It's a wonderful experience to be in love, but it's one that is fraught with danger. Why? Because a heck of a lot of people continually fall in and out of love, and not always through their own doing. People get cheated on while they're in love. People feel betrayed through love. People can be in love and yet still feel incredibly lonely. People use love as a weapon. Some use it as a manipulative tool. Others find only one love. Their soul mate. Some mistakenly confuse sex with love. Love takes so many forms and has so many devices it's no wonder people get a little confused. One thing is true though, love is a wonderful experience. When it comes to film, Veronesi says "Love is the most exploited subject in cinema. It’s a looted feeling, a stolen sentiment, regularly analyzed by philosophers, sociologists and psycholgist." So why direct and co-write another film about love? "I was also a victim of love and I wanted to tell about it in my own personal way, with irony and sarcasm. I have also been through all the phases shown in the movie, but despite the fact that as a sociologist and a philosopher I set out to theoretically think and write about love, I’m convinced that it is a mysterious and dark feeling that nobody will ever be able to understand. Whether it’s a misbegotten love affair, a family tragedy, a life-long relationship, or a romance lasting only one day: all of them can leave indelible marks and deep scars." Then what is "The Manual Of Love" all about? "Actually the movie is about all of us," Veronesi says. "How ridiculous we can be at times, when we are in love; but also how sweet, naive and vulnerable we turn out to be. When all’s said and done, speaking about love is a pleasure, although the experience of it can be most painful." Speaking about it proved to be easier than writing the screenplay. While Veronesi had a story, getting it together was not an easy task. "The film was not made for a few years though, because the idea could not be developed in a satisfying way." Teaming with screenwriter Ugo Chiti, the first task was to produce a script that would please producer Aurelio De Laurentiis. "Basically the goal was to make the characters and events as close as possible to reality so the viewer could totally identify with them, arousing hilarity even in the most bitter moments." After working on the screenplay for a few of months Chiti and Veronesi finally presented De Laurentiis with a script that appealed to him. And what was the formula they came up with? "Basically the goal was to make the characters and events as close as possible to reality so the viewer could totally identify with them, arousing hilarity even in the most bitter moments." De Laurentiis was suitably impressed arranging funding of five million Euros [around 8.4 million Australian dollars] for the project. If you're a follower of 'art house' foreign language or foreign film festivals such as the annual Italian Film Festival you will see a lot of familiarity in not only the cast but also in the production team. Thanks to Veronisi's "charisma and determination," he "was able to attract big names to his project." He was also able to attract actors willing to collaborate on the screenplay. That makes for a ownderful mix. Silvio Muccino plays Tommaso, a young man with no money, no job and importantly, no girlfriend. A black cat will change his life. Jasmine Trinca plays Giulia. Her black cat 'Crumbles' will bring a besotted Tommaso to her door. A kiss in the night, will it bring them love? David di Donatello Award winner Margherita Buy plays Barbara. Barbara and Marco [a driving instructor played by Sergio Rubini] are in a long term relationship, but a night on her own at a party brings Barbara to the realization that their relationship is in big trouble. They need to sort it out. They discuss their future in a local park. Oblivious to time Marco violates local parking regulations. Two Traffic Police arrange to tow-away Marco's car. Here we are introduced to Luciana Littizzetto who plays Ornello. Ornello is about to suffer the ultimate betrayal. Her partner Gabriele [played by Dino Abbrescia] has been cheating on her. She should have expected it, after all, wasn't she the one who told Gabriele, "eighty five percent of Italian husbands cheat on their wives, and sixty percent of wives cheat on their husbands." Now she's packed and moved out. He wants her back. The best course of action? "Deny everything even when faced with the proof. Just lie! It was just sex." Will it work? One thing is for sure, Luciana Littizzetto gives a spirited performance in this role. One that is sure to win audiences over. Finally there's Doctor Goffredo Liguori played by David di Donatello Best Supporting Actor Award winner, Carlo Verdone. Liguori's wife has suddenly left him after ten years of marriage. It is through Goffredo we discover what "The Manual Of Love" truly is. Giovanni Veronesi's film has proved a huge hit with Italian audiences taking the number one spot at the box-office in 2005. "The Manual Of Love" ["Manuale D'Amore"] received eleven nominations at the Italian Academy Awards. It was honoured with 2 David di Donatello Awards: Best Supporting Actor Carlo Verdone & Best Supporting Actress Margherita Buy. "The Manual of Love" says Veronesi "is not just a movie made up of episodes: the characters are in some ways linked to one another and their stories cross paths in an escalation of emotions, feelings, irony, love and good music." There's one other aspect I'm sure audiences will enjoy as much as I did, besides creating a wonderful collection of intertwined stories, Chiti and Veronesi through their storytelling, keep you guessing and entertained right to the last moment. "The Manual Of Love" is an Italian language film with easy to read subtitling. The Verdict "This is a wickedly wonderful experience. All the characters are rich and intriguing. The jury gave two David di Donatello Awards to cast members of "The Manual Of Love" and they were richly deserved. If you love good quality, highly entertaining Foreign Language films then do not miss this Aurelio De Laurentiis produced film from the land of love, Italy. Highly recommended. 4 STARS." Cast & Crew Bytes "THE MANUAL OF LOVE" stars .......
Carlo Verdone ["Damned the Day I Met You ", "Let's Not Keep in Touch" and "Love Is Eternal While It Lasts"]; Silvio Muccino ["The Last Kiss", "Remember Me" and "What Will Happen to Us?"]; Sergio Rubini ["The Bride's Journey", "The Talented Mr Ripley" and "The Passion of the Christ"]; Margherita Buy ["All the Love There Is", "Caterina In The Big City" and "Love Returns"], Jasmine Trinca ["The Son's Room", "The Best of Youth" and "Crime Novel"] and Luciana Littizzetto ["We All Fall Down", "Three Men and a Leg", "Screw Loose" and "Let's Mambo!"] as Ornello.
"THE MANUAL OF LOVE" was .......
directed by Giovanni Veronesi ["For Love, Only for Love ", "Viola Kisses Everybody", "Witches to the North" and "What Will Happen to Us?"]; screenplay by Ugo Chiti ["The Party's Over", "Women in Skirts", "Ivo the Genius", "The Barber of Rio" and "The Embalmer"] and Giovanni Veronesi ["For Love, Only for Love", "The Barber of Rio", "Suddenly Paradise" and "What Will Happen to Us?"]; story by Vincenzo Cerami ["The Malady of Love ", "Life Is Beautiful", "Roberto Benigni's Pinocchio" and "The Tiger and the Snow"]; cinematography by Tani Canevari ["Witches to the North", "Uncut" and "Natale a Miami"]; original music by Paolo Buonvino ["Lost Lover", "The Last Kiss" and "Five Moons Plaza"]; costume design by Gemma Mascagni ["Remember Me", "What Will Happen to Us?" and "La Febbre"], produced by Aurelio De Laurentiis ["For Love, Only for Love", Mem Men Men", "Women in Skirts" and "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow"]. Run Time 115 minutes Rated M [AUST] Copyright ©2006 - Palace Films Aust - All Rights Reserved Copyright Protected © 2006 - Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved