Giorni [Days] *** 2001, Thomas Trabacchi, Riccardo Salerno, Davide Bechini) – Classic Movie Review 12,757

Thomas Trabacchi stars in the 2001 Italian drama film Giorni [Days] as 35-year-old manager Claudio, who has been HIV+ for ten years and is in a long-term relationship with Dario (Davide Bechini). Then he meets nice young waiter Andrea (Riccardo Salerno).

Thomas Trabacchi stars in co-writer/ director Laura Muscardin’s 2001 Italian drama film Giorni [Days] as calm and capable 35-year-old manager Claudio, who has been in a long-term relationship with his lover Dario (Davide Bechini) and has been HIV+ for ten years.

His life is mostly about the medicine he has to take for HIV+, his monthly medical exam at the hospital, his humdrum banking office job, trying to keep physically fit and well, and his spiky declining long-term relationship with Dario (Davide Bechini). But, when he meets nice cute, naïve young waiter Andrea (Riccardo Salerno), all his certainties shatter and an unexpected passion, or is it love?, arises.

Claudio is organised and a careful planner, and is now dealing briskly with a job transfer from Rome to Milan. Dario moves a couple weeks in advance of Claudio, to set up the new apartment. This is when Claudio meets Andrea by chance in the restaurant where he works, after having had a casual encounter with him previously, and the two embark on an impulsive affair.

The film is awkward and quite challenging in its low-key, brooding sort of way, but worthy and worthwhile. It is engrossing, as you’ve no idea where it’s headed, and it makes you keen to find out. Claudio makes a troublesome ‘hero’. He’s way too selfish and self-obsessed. He treats the other characters in the film with lofty disdain, even Andrea who has somehow pierced his armoury and gotten under his skin. But the film – and the actor playing him – makes a valiant effort to keep us on his side, and share his woes, and understand them. You could say that this makes the film quite subtle and ambiguous.

Happily a lot has changed since 2001, so it feels like a period piece, but it remains relevant, and feels like an urgent wake-up call still. It is convincing and realistic, so you go with the story, and get involved in it.

Claudio’s inquisitive mother, selfish sister and HIV+ aerobics instructor buddy are other important characters, coolly played without sympathy. It’s a chilly, quite disturbing film. This time, the power of love, though a force from above, may not be enough.

Stars: Thomas Trabacchi, Riccardo Salerno, Davide Bechini.

Writers: Laura Muscardin, David Osorio, Monica Rametta.

© Derek Winnert 2023 – Classic Movie Review 12,757

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