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Poster for First Love

First Love

2004 · 1h 40m · NOT RATED Drama, Horror, Romance
Directed by Matteo Garrone

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Overview

Vittorio is looking for a woman who matches his ideal. Through a classified ad he meets Sonia, a sweet, pleasant, intelligent girl. However, she weighs 125 pounds -- which according to Vittorio is way too much. A goldsmith by trade, Vittorio is obsessed with the desire to shape Sonia's body and mind as does a fire with gold. Almost imperceptibly Sonia becomes a passive participant and the relationship grows into a reciprocal masochistic game. When the two lovers isolate themselves in a country house in the Veneto hills, they dangerously lose touch with reality and the rest of the world.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
53%
Tomatometer
Fresh

An elegantly told tale of obsession.

Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
Rotten

Could do with a bit more plot: It doesn't resolve so much as collapse in utter desolation.

Brendan Bernhard, L.A. Weekly
Rotten

It feels like a sketch for a larger work that would go beyond the well-worn insights of diet literature.

Jami Bernard, New York Daily News
Rotten

While engaging, pic eventually betrays itself as having a trivial attitude to its chosen subject.

Russell Edwards, Variety
Fresh

The scenario is ludicrous, yet it's filmed and performed in such a way that it creates unbearable tension.

Lisa Rose, Newark Star-Ledger

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