EDITOR’S NOTE: We are pleased to announce the introduction of our new film column ‘Reel Eye’ by newcomer Slim Diltsen. Judging from her first effort, we believe Slim will be shooting wildly from the hip. We are glad to have her.

I AM LOVE

In his film review of “I Am Love” Anthony Lane of the New Yorker advises audiences to see this film in a theater (rather than on your TV set or iPad.) We agree. The ‘natural eye’ style cinematography would be lost on any screen size smaller than a large wall. We will take this further and demand you research and locate a theater with an ample sound system, for the pitch perfect score by John Adams is just as essential to the film as actress Tilda Swinton, the star of the show. Third, do not leave your seats until the final credits have rolled. If your blood flows and your soul soars, you will be as exhausted and as overwhelmed as I was.

“I Am Love” is directed by Luca Guadagnino, an Italian filmmaker who has been off our radar. Until now. He has created a film of lush depth and wide feeling with a sure and subtle skill that should ignite Hollywood with competitive envy. The man has raised the bar, a standard that has been sadly floating downward like a deflated balloon since the mid-Seventies. While Guadagnino must be commended for his actor management skills, the film has been flawlessly cast.

As this is my first review for FortunaDaily.com, I wish to redefine film commentary and serve as a cheerleader for a dying medium. I shall be critical when it demands and suggestive when I am motivated. My words will be brief because the Hollywood media windbags can fill in the rest.

If you are a human being with sensitivity to beauty, to joy, to art and to life, “I Am Love” is essential. It is the most beautiful and well-crafted film I have seen in a very long time.

P.S.: Last week in the New York Times, Tilda Swinton and Luca Guadagnino stated that they want to remake “Auntie Mame” with Swinton as the lead. Brilliant. If anyone in charge in Hollywood has read that, you can rest assured the idea slipped off their dull grey cells. We’ll have to wait for the Italians to do it.

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SLIM DILTSEN is a lover of cinema. ‘Reel Eye’ is her first film column. While she may be of the digital generation, Slim loves all things celluloid, even black and white.