ALLAN HUNTER at the Movies.

PENELOPE CRUZ returns to her European roots in Don’t Move, and is rewarded with one of her best roles in recent years. The star of disappointing Hollywood fare like Vanilla Sky and Gothika, Cruz abandons her natural beauty to portray a downtrodden, panda-eyed, working-class woman embroiled in a tragic affair with a married surgeon.
  
It is the quality of her performance that lends distinction to this brutal, troubling Italian production. Co-written and directed by Sergio Castellitto, Don’t Move begins in attention-grabbing style with a motorbike crash.
 
Surgeon Timoteo (Castellitto) is informed that the victim is his daughter. Waiting outside the operating theatre for news, he reflects on his life, his marriage and the great passion that overwhelmed him one long, hot summer afternoon.
  
Stranded in a country backwater when his car breaks down, Timoteo is helped by Italia (Cruz). He repays her kindness by raping her. He later returns to apologise for his behaviour and rapes her again and we are supposed to accept that this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship.
  
It is a disturbing premise in what often seems like a misogynistic, deeply unpleasant film. Filled with lies, cowardice and evasions, the hysterical story continues as Timoteo flits between his wife and Italia, letting his selfish demands poison the lives of all around him.
 
Castellitto takes a brave decision to place such an unsympathetic character at the centre of the story but is Cruz’s stoical, loyal Italia who steals your heart, lending tenderness to this melancholy melodrama.
  
DON’T MOVE (Non Ti Muovere)
Restricted release, selected cinemas
Director: Sergio Castellitto
Stars: Penelope Cruz, Sergio Castellitto, Claudia Gerini.
Screenwriters: Castellitto, Margaret Mazzantini based on her novel
Certificate: 15
Running time: 121 mins
Country: Italy
Year: 2004
© Allan Hunter, 2005