Il divo
  • Studio: MPI
  • Release Date: Apr 24, 2009
Metascore
81 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 17 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
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  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    88
    The film proceeds like a black comedy version of "The Godfather," crossed with Oliver Stone’s "Nixon."
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Lisa Schwarzbaum
    91
    You need know nothing about Italian politics to completely enjoy the fantastical, Fellini-fied, tragi-comic, biographical fun-for-all Il Divo.
  3. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Kenneth Turan
    90
    Simultaneously exhilarating and confounding, dazzling and confusing, this is filmmaking of such verve and style that you likely won't care that you can't follow it completely.
  4. New York Post
    Reviewed by: V.A. Musetto
    88
    The highly stylized, often outrageously funny biopic is anchored by a devastating performance by Toni Servillo as Andreotti, brilliantly capturing the gnomic politician's trademark slouch and inexpressive face.
  5. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: Carrie Rickey
    88
    All in all, this phenomenal film illustrates Alexis de Tocqueville's observation that "The people get the government they deserve." In both meanings of the word, Il Divo is sensational.
  6. St. Louis Post-Dispatch
    Reviewed by: Joe Williams
    88
    Anyone suggesting that an Italian film could rival the style and grandeur of "The Godfather" might end up sleeping with the fishes. But Il Divo delivers.
  7. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Peter Brunette
    90
    The frequently outrageous Il Divo follows the career of one of the best-known and most tenacious figures in Italian political history in a lively, sensory-overload, cartoonlike fashion reminiscent of "Amelie" and "Moulin Rouge." The fact that it's often over-the-top goes with saying, and is part of the fun.
  8. Variety
    Reviewed by: Jay Weissberg
    100
    An intensely political film so wildly inventive and witty that it will become a touchstone for years to come, Il Divo is a masterpiece for maverick helmer-scribe Paolo Sorrentino.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.8 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 23 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 2 out of 6
  1. KentP
    10
    Great fun. Smashing editing, scoring and cinematography and an incredible performance from Servillo.
  2. TwinklesM.
    2
    Sorrentino's glossy style seems totally inappropriate for such a purely political story, giving us endless zooms and stale Scorsese montages in place of character or insight or plot. After an hour of gazing at Toni Servillo's totally inexpressive face ; an endless stream of cryptic, gnomic remarks and a continuous stream of faceless bureacrats, maintaining interest in the 'story' becomes nigh impossible. Disappointing.… Full Review »
  3. johns
    1
    Unbelievably boring movie. i like artistic foreign films, i even like political dramas but this was a complete waist of time. there are literally 3 dozen obscure characters that one must follow and none of them are the least bit interesting. do yourself a favor and skip it.… Full Review »
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