Paolo Sorrentino is a celebrated Italian filmmaker whose works delve into the complexities of human existence with a unique visual poetry. His films are characterized by a profound exploration of themes such as beauty, loss, and the search for meaning in a world full of contradictions. Sorrentino masterfully blends classical filmmaking techniques with modern approaches, offering audiences an unforgettable audiovisual experience. His body of work has garnered acclaim at the most prestigious film festivals globally.
The narrative explores a deep yearning for a past filled with excitement and indulgence. The protagonist grapples with a resurgence of old habits, including a desire for daily cocaine use and a relentless pursuit of romantic encounters. Set against the backdrop of Italy's evocative scents, the story captures the struggle between nostalgia and the consequences of a hedonistic lifestyle, highlighting themes of addiction, desire, and the quest for fulfillment.
In a luxury spa hotel in the Swiss Alps, octogenarian friends Fred Ballinger and Mick Boyle look back on their eventful and successful lives as composer and film director, surrounded by a host of colorful and eccentric fellow guests, ranging from a South American soccer star to a famous Californian actor and a reigning Miss Universe. Ballinger is there simply to enjoy his retirement, while Boyle is working with five scriptwriters on his last film, which he hopes will be his masterpiece. When Ballinger is invited by Buckingham Palace to conduct his most famous piece at Prince Philip's birthday celebration and accept a knighthood in return, he refuses, citing personal reasons. As for Mick Boyle, he eventually receives a visit from Brenda Morel, his signature actress, who comes all the way from California to give her opinion of this latest film in which she is to star. At the same time as these two men face these turning points, the marriage of Fred's daughter to Mick's son brings further complications. Only by reconciling with their muses, and by coming to terms with old age and the weight of memory that comes with it, can the two friends move forward with what remains of their lives.
