Director Paolo Genovese solidifies his dominance on the International film scene with another smash hit in the form of Somebody to Love (also known as Follemente or Madly).
Following the global success of 2016’s Perfect Strangers, Genovese once again captures the humour and vulnerability in human behaviour to deliver a universally relatable narrative.
Set in the backstreets of Rome, the film follows Lara (Pilar Fogliati) and Piero (Edoardo Leo) as they navigate through the awkwardness of a first date.
Lara, a thirty something furniture restorer, feels an internal pull towards short-lived relationships. This is even though the characters in her mind dream of a long-term commitment.
On the other hand, 50-year-old Piero is a recently divorced single father who has been out of the dating game for quite some time.
What separates Somebody to Love from your run-of-the-mill romcom is its unique plot device. Both protagonists’ anxieties, impulses, and desires take on physical forms which argue, intervene, and occasionally hijack the date altogether.
Even though the film’s concept could be likened to that of Disney-Pixar’s Inside Out, Genovese’s delivery couldn’t be more different.
Instead of singular emotions to guide the characters through the evening, Somebody to Love depicts a chorus of fully formed personas that often usher the protagonists into compromising dialogue.
While the inner voices drive the narrative, much of the film’s emotional pull rests on the chemistry between Fogliati and Leo.
It is through their performances that Genovese explores a multitude of emotions that are sure to strike a chord with anyone who has ever stumbled their way through the early stages of attraction. This makes Lara and Piero impossible not to root for.
Much of the film’s humour comes from the conversations between Lara and Piero’s respective inner voices. The fast-paced dialogue is full of playful argumentation. There’s also a cheeky musical number that had me giggling.
In saying that, like many subtitled films, some of the finer details get lost in translation. Though it’s not enough to dull the film’s personality.
Somebody to Love sees Genovese tugging on the heartstrings in a playful reimagining of the rom-com drama. The film’s ending that is sure to leave even those with the coldest of hearts smiling.
Somebody to Love is playing in cinemas nationally from 22 January 2026.
Tickets are on sale now!
Website: https://www.palacefilms.com.au/somebody-to-love
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/palacecinemas/
Watch the trailer here:
Film details:
Title: Somebody To Love
Director: Paolo Genovese
Cast: Edoardo Leo, Pilar Fogliati, Emanuela Fanelli, Maria Chiara Giannetta, Claudia Pandolfi, Vittoria Puccini, Marco Giallini, Maurizio Lastrico, Rocco Papaleo, Claudio Santamaria
Country of Origin: Italy
Duration: 98 mins
Rating: M
Showing at cinemas around the country:
Sydney: Palace Central, Palace Norton Street, Palace Moore Park, Hayden Orpheum Cremorne, United Warriewood Cinema, also screening in Westpac Open Air Cinema Sydney (Feb 14)
Melbourne: Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, Palace Pentridge, Palace Penny Lane Cinema, Cinema Nova, The Kino, Sun Theatre Yarraville, and Palace Regent Cinema Ballarat
Adelaide: Palace Nova Eastend & Prospect
Brisbane: Palace Barracks & Palace James St Cinemas
Byron Bay: Palace Byron Bay
Canberra: Palace Electric
Perth: Palace Raine Square, Luna Leederville, Luna On SX
Hobart: State Cinema
