The Reluctant Romcom: A Tale of Two Films and One Fading Genre

Nanni Moretti’s “It Will Happen Tonight” premiered at Venice Film Festival to a mixed reaction from critics. Some praised its gentle pace and likable leads, while others dismissed it as a lightweight romance that fails to deliver on its promise.

The film is part of a trend exploring the “what ifs” of life, seen in recent years with Celine Song’s “Past Lives,” which tackled relationships and identity with nuance and intelligence. Moretti’s approach, however, relies on sentimental moments and predictability to carry its narrative. This old-fashioned method raises questions about the value placed on tradition in contemporary cinema.

The film is peppered with references to classic rock music, from Bruce Springsteen to The Rolling Stones, which serves as a nostalgic nod to the past. However, this approach also highlights the tension between nostalgia and innovation in filmmaking.

Moretti’s use of non-linear storytelling jumps through time, following Matteo and Greta’s lives over several years. Each segment feels more like a vignette than a fully fleshed-out narrative, underscoring the arbitrary nature of life’s choices. This disjointedness serves to emphasize that moments that seem insignificant at the time can have profound consequences later on.

The film’s portrayal of its female characters is also noteworthy, particularly in its depiction of Greta’s motherhood. Her struggles with childcare and relationships are presented as a straightforward conflict between personal desires and societal expectations. However, this simplification leaves the film feeling somewhat one-dimensional.

One egregious moment in the film is the depiction of a Roma child covered in flies, which has been widely criticized for its insensitivity and lack of context. Given the film’s overall portrayal of relationships and personal choices, this moment stands out as particularly problematic.

In an era where audiences demand more nuanced and realistic portrayals, Moretti’s “It Will Happen Tonight” feels like a relic of the past. While it may win over some viewers with its gentle pace and likable leads, it ultimately falls short in providing anything new or substantial.

The film’s release has sparked a larger conversation about the state of romantic comedies today. With the success of films like “Crazy Rich Asians” and “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before,” it seems that audiences are hungry for fresh takes on relationships and identity. This raises questions about our cultural values: do we still value sentimentality over nuance, or have we moved beyond the tired tropes of yesteryear?

Moretti’s film feels like a missed opportunity to push the boundaries of the romantic comedy genre. While it may find success with its target audience, it ultimately fails to provide anything new or substantial. Perhaps this is exactly what audiences need: a reminder that sometimes, less can be more.

As we wait for the next big release from Moretti, one thing is clear: the state of romantic comedies today is complex and multifaceted. It will take more than just nostalgia and sentimentality to revitalize this flagging genre. But perhaps, with the right approach, we can create something truly remarkable – a film that not only explores the complexities of relationships but also challenges our cultural values in the process.