Review: Nanni Moretti's 'It Will Happen Tonight' Explores Enduring Romance with Humor and Melodrama

Italian cinematic master Nanni Moretti, celebrated for his political satire and insightful human narratives, ventures into new territory with his latest feature. His filmography, already adorned with prestigious awards such as a Palme d'Or and a Silver Lion, solidifies his standing as a consistent force in arthouse cinema since the 1980s. Much like Woody Allen, Moretti consistently explores diverse genres, always infused with his characteristic dry wit and unique personal touch, while often concealing deeper undercurrents beneath a seemingly lighthearted surface.

His recent work, "It Will Happen Tonight," embarks on an intense 17-year love story. The film skillfully intertwines sharp humor and profound tragedy in its initial chapters, before transitioning into a full-fledged melodrama, guiding Moretti into previously uncharted emotional landscapes, perhaps last seen in his acclaimed work, "The Son's Room." The brilliant Jasmine Trinca, known for her debut in Moretti's 2001 film, delivers a powerful performance as a woman grappling with intense feelings for a stranger, eventually surrendering to them. Her counterpart, the charismatic French actor Louis Garrel, fluently speaks Italian and sports a distinctive mustache, portraying a man so captivated by an enigmatic woman that her memory persists through years of separation.

While occasionally leaning into sentimentality, the film remains captivating, asking viewers to embrace a series of serendipitous encounters. The narrative effortlessly transports us across various global locales—Rome, Oslo, Turin, San Sebastian, and Mumbai—and spans decades, charting the journey of two lovers destined to repeatedly cross paths. Over the years, they experience life's milestones: births, losses, career shifts, and the intricate dynamics of their existing relationships. Despite the passage of time and ever-changing hairstyles, Trinca and Garrel maintain their ageless charm, underscoring that their enduring affection, whether reciprocated or not, is their ultimate anchor. The narrative, adapted from Eshkol Nevo's stories by Moretti, Federica Pontremoli, and Valia Santella, demands a degree of imaginative engagement from the outset, a requirement gently eased by the director's judicious use of humor in early scenes.

Moretti's directorial signature, adept at transitioning between moments of levity and seriousness, imbues "It Will Happen Tonight" with a nuanced tone that elevates the narrative. Despite its occasional exaggerations, the film handles its unbelievable circumstances with a subtle, self-aware grace. The evolving relationship between Greta and Matteo, set against a backdrop of personal struggles and a subplot involving Greta’s melancholic daughter, highlights the persistent obstacles that keep them apart. Ultimately, the film suggests that life's interventions often prevent desires from being fulfilled, a poignant theme that, despite some melodramatic flourishes, anchors this passionate romance.