When watching this movie, I couldn't fathom how the scores could be so mixed to be left with around a 50% average. From the astounding cinematography, to the superb and intricate storytelling. This movie had me enthralled in its grasp of detail and intelligence.

This film is truly a piece of art in of itself. Engrossing the viewer to continue watching as Tornatore directs a powerful and gripping picture. Not only do the visuals look stunning and evoke disquiet as well as cheerful emotions. But the script with its layered, thought-out choice of wording, provides depth within the characters, but also the mystery. It is hard not to at least give it credit for being very original.

Having seen the movie, it puts a whole new way of thinking into romantic mysteries for myself. You have to think twice has hard, yet keep in motion with the flow of the characters. Stay in their shoes, but don't be afraid to tread a little outside, one step at a time. The movie also blends the chemistry together in ways I didn't think I would've seen. Plus with the cinematic cues throughout, you can tell that they want you to try and figure the puzzle out.

Now with everything, it has its flaws. The main one being [spoiler] once you have seen the movie through, you realise that the supporting cast were maybe being too obvious. But that's not a bad thing entirely. As the whole point of the movie was to in fact coax Virgil into seeing that even the most powerful emotions can be forged. As Billy told him early on in the film, that he shouldn't judge an artwork by the emotion he thinks he sees as fake. Which Virgil criticized Billy for, having a lack of raw emotion. Yet in the end Billy proved that all emotion can be forged, even after giving Virgil multiple chances to see what he meant. Leaving Virgil as the victim and the villian. [/spoiler]

Another flaw being sadly, the third act. It felt a bit rushed within the last twenty minutes of the film. As well as some things being slightly unbelievable. Even though it may have been designed that way for tension purposes. However, the last ten minutes were masterfully done. Very hard to pull off in this genre.

It greatly seams both romance and drama into a mystery worth sticking around for. Director Giuseppe Tornatore has taken many Italian themes and woven them to form a marvelous film. This is now one of my favourite movies, and I can't wait to watch it again for the wonderful story and to find any secrets I may have missed.