The difficulty of love enduring over time is the
central theme of aILLUMINATA. The ambitious and
restless writer Tuccio is the resident playwright
of a struggling repertory company, whose members
reflect the European melting pot that is New York
at the turn of the century. Tuccio is eager to
stage his unfinished new play, aIlluminata, but
the theater owners, Astergourd and Pallenchio, are
not convinced the work is ready. The playwright
has written the script specifically for the woman
he loves, the company's acclaimed actress/manager,
Rachel. When the young actor Piero collapses
during a performance of aCavalleria Rusticana,
Tuccio boldly contrives to substitute aIlluminata
for an audience that includes the powerful,
flamboyantly foppish drama critic Umberto
Bevalaqua. Bevalaqua savages the play, but the
company sees an opportunity for a reappraisal by
the influential reviewer. Bevalaqua has become
infatuated with a handsome cast member, Marco, who
reluctantly agrees to a private meeting with the
critic, who in turn attempts a unique seduction.
Meanwhile, a celebrated but aging theatrical diva,
Celimene, much impressed with aIlluminata, takes a
scheming professional and personal interest in
Tuccio, offering him the chance for international
fame as her personal playwright (and kept lover).
The company's life is further complicated by the
unexpected imprisonment of the company's senior
actor, Flavio, not to mention the tangled
aspirations, insecurities and assorted love
affairs of the company's juvenile leads, a veteran
clown, and colourful supporting players. Tuccio
and Rachel are ultimately reconciled, but not
before the ensemble cast plays out a bittersweet
erotic farce exploring all the aspects of love and
its imperfections: lust, loyalty, ambition,
betrayal, rediscovery and the triumph of the
imagination.
| Format size: | Widescreen |
| Languages: | English |
| Country: | US |
| Runtime: | 111 min. |
| Number of discs: | 1 |
