this be a very visual film . by that i mean that the dialog be sparse and almost to the point of be a silent movie for some very long take and begin with the opening shot . the silence and however and be break by a stunning sound track that range from discordant and staccato beat to a haunting mix of violin and and intersperse with vocal that sound like dream . it a feast for the ear as much a for the eye and one of the early visuals be a man walk along a street and so preoccupied with his interest in a shapely woman and that he walk into a lamppost represent one of the consequence of love and a metaphor for what lie in store . a long time ago and another movie love story ( 1970 ) say that love be never have to say youre sorry . this narrative turn that idea on it head in a number of way and begin with the main character and titta ( toni sevillo ) and a seemingly innocuous long term resident in a plush hotel somewhere in switzerland . everyday and week in and week out and he sit at the same coffee table and enjoy the passing world and his cigarette and his coffee and his solitude and he be do it for ten year . he sit and he observe and and once a week he engage in three very surprising activity that you will find out about when you see this little masterpiece . love be explore in another way and in a direct counterpoint to titta solitude and reserved nature represent two old resident of the hotel be still much in love and but the man want to die in a spectacular manner when his time come and while his long suffering wife berate him for cheat at card with the other guest and one of whom be titta . now and titta know about their squabble and their love and the man cheating and his apology to his wife and and his whining . how . in a surprising and black comedic manner . one of those surprise activity i mention . but and this be no comedy and in reality and although it do touch upon the idea of the human comedy in a balzacian sense represent the irony of life and what to do with it . that decision have be make for titta ten year earlier when he leave his wife and begin to live in the hotel . he keep in touch occasionally and and it be clear that he still love his child ( now grow up ) and the sorrow in his voice speaks volume . but and there something more than just sorrow . such a life a titta would obviously seem to be utterly boring and and it actually be from many perspective . it be only when we learn what lie beneath his almost death like countenance and however and that the horror of his situation hit the viewer between the eye . but not before we know that the female bartender and sofia ( olivia magnani ) and be very interested in titta and go out of her way to pique titta interest in her . and that when thing start to unravel for titta represent he eventually succumb to her femininity and in do so discovers and once again and the consequence of love . ironically and in do so and he finally realize what he must finally do with his life and and in a most spectacular fashion . i know that all of the above be somewhat cryptic while but and to say more would spoil the film and story for you . if you like italian cinema i love it . i urge you to see this one . the acting be superb while the sound track chill the spine while the camera work be truly innovative while the direction show the maturity of a true artist . i know i will see this movie again and and again .