Voce umana (Short 2014)

Voce umana: Directed by Edoardo Ponti. With Sophia Loren, Enrico Lo Verso, Alessandra Bonarotta, Virginia Da Brescia. ‘Human Voice’ is based on Jean Cocteau’s iconic one woman play of the same name. Set against the backdrop of Naples, Italy, in 1950, this romantic drama tells the story of Angela, (played by Sophia Loren), a woman in the twilight of her years who rides the emotional roller coaster of her last telephone conversation with the man she loves as he is leaving her for another woman.

“u0026quot;We find people who canu0026#39;t be found.u0026quot; Anna (Maggie Q)nThatu0026#39;s all of the back story you need to know about two highly-accomplished assassins: Anna, the protégé, and seasoned-killer Moody (Samuel L. Jackson). When Moody apparently gets assassinated himself by unknown world-thugs, Anna goes after them. Thatu0026#39;s all you need to know of plot.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe richness of such a formulaic thriller is in the everyday details that action filmmakers like director Martin Campbell and writer Richard Wenk weave amongst the gymnastics of ninja fighting and out of control gun fire. Anna is a stoic Asian as lean with her commentary as her fit body. Credit Maggie Q for retaining her cool in the presence of unmitigated absurdity. Moody is essential Jackson, smart with the quips and philosophy while casually deadly with hands and guns. And always with a smile.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eUnlike other thrillers a la mode, Protégé has a villain, Vohl (Patrick Malahide), who doesnu0026#39;t want to rule the world but just wants it to adore him for his charitable enterprises and never know of his extracurricular activities like trafficking. Heu0026#39;s tied to the bad things that happen to Anna and Moody, who pursue him regardless of the goon hordes protecting him.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eFortunately for us, Vohlu0026#39;s lieutenant is Rembrandt (Michael Keaton) whose affection for Anna offers the humanity Anna doesnu0026#39;t bring to the film. Keaton tops Jackson for expert smart-aleck comments. Listening to him and Anna banter while they are becoming more enmeshed in Vohlu0026#39;s miscarriages is to remember the energy of the old screwball repartee. They are good together although mortal enemies, a pleasant Bond twist for a shamelessly rigid genre.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIf Maggie Q were given a chance to show range in her dialogue, she might be a candidate for the James Bond role. As it is, Protege is a fun time at the theater with glamorous sets, great-looking actors, and a plot that hints at world problems while letting us enjoy some serious down time. At the least, Protégé is poised for a sequel-Iu0026#39;m in if Q, Keaton, and Jackson are in.”