Gutsycurene Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.

Helllins It is both painfully honest and laugh-out-loud funny at the same time.

Juana what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

Staci Frederick Blistering performances.

jadepietro This film is mildly recommended.I miss Alfred Hitchcock. His films were carefully constructed thrillers that would rarely let the moviegoer down. His pacing, editing, camera angles, and most importantly, his script, kept logic intact while entertaining and building suspense. There were always concluding set pieces that became memorable parts of cinema history: a chase on Mount Rushmore, a runaway carousel, a fight aboard a high speed train, an attack of stark-raving mad ravens. As I sat watching the Italian import, The Double Hour, my thoughts yearned for his deft director's touch on this film's intriguing premise.Directed by newcomer Giuseppe Capotondi, the film stars Kseniya Rappoport as Sonya and Flippo Timi as Guido, two lonely sorts who meet at a speed dating seminar. She works as a hotel maid and he is an ex-cop turned security guard and both sense a real instant connection there. That's the beginning of a complex labyrinth that held my complete interest for about three-fourth of the film's length.This off-beat thriller that becomes more ominous and intriguing every second with plot twists and startling reveals in its intricate plotting. There are twists galore, some minor, some major, and I enjoyed the conceit of the filmmaker in toying with his audience.Now I love a good mystery and this is one, that is, up until the last few minutes when the mystery unravels and so does all reasoning. Actions are so out of character with Sonya and Guido's arc that the film defies rationality. Incidents that occur in the beginning of the film become random thoughts and really have no bearing in the maze-like structure of the story. The final shot made little sense to me when trying to decode the scheme of events prior to that ending, leaving me with a bitter taste of regret. ( Plus, no memorable set piece is on display when one could have been added in the airport scene to full effect.)The movie tagline for The Double Hour reads as follows: A Romance. A Robbery. A Mystery. All that is true, and for the most of the time, the film does successfully involve the moviegoer. But, unfortunately, the film ultimately disappoints in the last half hour of the film when all the logic gives way to a very unsatisfying ending.Sadly, I felt double-crossed and cheated when the end credits rolled. Yes, Alfred would have ironed out all the plot kinks before filming this exasperating thriller. Why have your audience invest their time and emotions in all of the film's intricacies when your overly convoluted plot becomes the major obstacle to the mystery itself. The Double Hour is second rate Hitchcock at best. GRADE: B-NOTE: Visit my movie blog for more reviews: www.dearmoviegoer.com

boneman4 My first complaint is that the subtitles were not infrequently "white on white" making them unreadable and preventing understanding of a convoluted plot that required full concentration.Aside from that,even one fluent in Italian would have difficulty making any sense out of this plot that would require imagination far beyond the Lynchian productions.The example of robbing a facility with such valuable material and such minimal security is absurd.Even Inspector Clouseau could have solved this crime. The psychological and surrealistic portions were misplaced and offered little.I will admit that the acting was good, especially the principals. Ksenia Rappaport is a very watchable actress and could be a benefit in an otherwise well constructed film. In its present state however, I cannot recommend it.

Sindre Kaspersen Music video director Giuseppe Capatondi' feature film debut which was written by Italian screenwriter Ludovica Rampoldi, Italian screenwriter and actor Stefan Sardo and Italian writer Alessandro Fabbri, premiered In competition at the 66th Venice Film Festival in 2009, was screened at the 34th Toronto International Film Festival in 2009 and is an Italian production. It was shot on location in Turin, Italy and was produced by Italian producer Francesca Cima and Italian producer Nicola Giuliano. It tells the story about Sonia, a Slovenian woman who makes a living as a maid in Torino. Sonia is looking for a male companion, and through a dating bureau she meets security guard Guido and chemistry sparks. Guido and Sonia has found one another, but as they are getting to know each other their evolving relationship is interrupted.Precisely and subtly directed by Italian Giuseppe Capatondi, this finely paced and somewhat romantic fictional tale is a character-driven and plot-driven drama mostly narrated from the protagonist's point-of-view. While notable for it's naturalistic milieu depictions and the brilliant production design by production designer Totó Santoro, this invariably intriguing thriller which depicts two merging studies of character is impelled and reinforced by it's cogent narrative structure and the engaging acting performances by Russian actress Kseniya Rappoport and Italian actor and screenwriter Filippo Timi. A riveting and suspenseful mystery which gained, among other awards, the Volpi Cup Award for Best Actress Kseniya Rappoport at the 66th Venice International Film Festival in 2009.

SkohlSwart I just got back from viewing a screening of this film at the 2009 TIFF. I am very glad that I went this year, because this was one of the most enjoyable experiences I had at the theatre in some time.The Double Hour was billed as a surreal thriller, so I was expecting something Lynchian. However, this film does not leave any loose ends. Any confusing parts come to a satisfying conclusion, and there are plenty of clues along the way that allow you to piece the story together.I also enjoyed how it is two movies in one, in a way. One is a scary, bewildering psychological thriller, and it is contained within an interconnected arc that is part crime drama and part character exploration, made rich by the well-written and well-acted characters.Standing out, obviously, is the main character, Sonia. She is a very attractive lead, both physically and as a performer, and carries the movie effectively.The direction of this film is intelligent and fast-paced. Quick cuts are used to jarring effect, and a slightly shaky, hand-held feeling creates a great deal of tension. Overall, I would recommend this film for fans of European movies, mysteries, thrillers and psychological dramas. It is very solid, put together well, and will leave you sated.