The premise of Ciao — a film in which two strangers from different parts of the world develop a deep, unexpected friendship — could have led to a laughably bad movie. After all, it centers on Jeff (Smith), a young American whose recently deceased friend Mark has been hiding his tall, dark, handsome Italian lover Andrea (Calza). But instead, director Yen Tan’s film is a somber piece that quietly explores the depth of human relationships.
Most of Ciao revolves around Jeff and Andrea’s conversations after Jeff invites his friend’s lover to come stay with him in Dallas. But despite this focus on dialogue, there is a surprising amount of silence in the film. It highlights the film’s small moments, from Jeff's gulping down a sob to the awkward stillness as the two wait for Andrea's baggage.
Because Ciao is a quiet film, the actors’ performances are especially important. Smith is touching as Jeff; through the subtle changes in his expressions, his grief is palpable. But Calza is more wooden, and the difficulty of reading his emotions reduces the film’s efficacy. The silent scenes are powerful, but the dialogue sounds stiff and rehearsed. Had the characters' conversations reflected the rest of the film’s slow pace, Ciao’s impact would have been much more profound.
Ciao Directed by: Yen Tan Starring: Adam Neal Smith, Alessandro Calza Rated: R
