Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sex and nudity in lavish, emotional Italian drama.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
I Am Love
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In I AM LOVE, Emma (Tilda Swinton) has moved from Russia to Italy and made a name for herself as matriarch of the wealthy Recchi family. There, she enjoys a lavish lifestyle, but finds herself unfulfilled. When her son, Edoardo (Flavio Parenti), receives a visit from his chef friend Antonio (Edoardo Gabbriellini), both his food and his presence ignite her senses in a way that will change everything.
Is It Any Good?
From the director of Call Me by Your Name (Luca Guadagnino), this sumptuous Italian drama is similarly rich with visceral imagery, forbidden desire, and a sense of personal awakening. Set mostly in Milan, at the home of a wealthy family, I Am Love is taut with the almost unbearable strain between old-fashioned values and forward movement, strict expectation and individuality, careful control and the chaos of impulse. When it escapes into the stunning countryside, there's a sense of freedom away from the lavish but suffocating family home. Scenes in the city offer a classic movie vibe, with Swinton's journey through the streets feeling Hitchcockian at times—the icy blond in a beautiful but slightly off-kilter environment, followed closely by the camera and a sense of inevitable ruin. Close-ups of food, both preparation and consumption, become the language of love and desire between Swinton's Emma and chef Antonio (Gabbriellini). Guadagnino's visual language, as ever, is beautiful, intense, if not always subtle. But there's no denying that the moment we're left with in the final scene makes an impact—less on the emotions, and more on the soul.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the theme of identity in I Am Love. How was identity important to different characters? How did expectations and fears prevent people from exploring who they were or cause them to hide parts of themselves from others?
How did the film portray sex and relationships? Was it affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
The movie was nominated for an Oscar for costume design. Did the costumes stand out to you? How were they used to help portray character? Were there any other aspects of the film's visuals that made an impact?
How was Italy portrayed in the film? How did scenes in the family home, city streets, and countryside compare? How did each add to the atmosphere of scenes?
Movie Details
- In theaters : June 18, 2010
- On DVD or streaming : October 12, 2010
- Cast : Tilda Swinton , Flavio Parenti , Edoardo Gabbriellini
- Director : Luca Guadagnino
- Inclusion Information : Gay Movie Director(s) , Middle Eastern/North African Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Magnolia Pictures
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 120 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : sexuality and nudity
- Awards : Academy Award - Other Category Nominee , BAFTA - BAFTA Nominee , Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Nominee
- Last updated : May 5, 2025
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