Gianni Di Gregorio's modus operandi is now becoming clear: Emasculated males in a world run by beautiful but inaccessible women is his lot. The writer-director's angle, though, is never to resort to self-pity. Playing himself, he's not afraid to show a little darkness to counteract the lightheaded breezy affairs that carry his films along so delightfully.
Edging past fifty, Gianni (Di Gregorio) isn't ready to admit he's old yet. Although married, Gianni still has an eye for beautiful women: he fantasises about his mother's maid, his next door neighbour, the woman at the market - basically anything with a cleavage. Gianni isn't prepared to join the trio of old men who sit outside his apartment building ignoring young women as they pass by; he wants a last stab at an affair before he succumbs to old age. He still looks good in a suit, but for how long?
After writing the tough Gomorrah, Gianni Di Gregorio graduated to directing with 2008's Mid-August Lunch, which has a lot in common with The Salt Of Life. Like that cheerful comedy-drama, Gianni has once again cast himself as a mopey middle-ager who is nothing but a glorified gofer for his family, running errands and tending to his high maintenance mother (ninety-six year old Di Franciscis). Food, wine and women play a major part again, but most importantly, Di Gregorio has a knack of making a middle-aged man, who doesn't really do anything of note, so watchable. Part of that comes from his subtle writing but his casting choices go a long way too: Di Gregorio has a talent for making his film look like he's letting real life unfold in front of his camera instead of deftly directed scenes.
There isn't a lot going on with The Salt Of Life - it's so slight, a strong wind would blow it away - but underneath there is a cold loneliness and the inevitability of death. It could be argued that 'death' here is the narcissistic notion that you can't turn a pretty head anymore and there are bigger things to worry about, but Di Gregorio has a knack of making these problems the be all and end all.
The Salt Of Life won't have you rolling in the aisles but there's a good chance there will be a smirk on your face throughout this simple and thoughtful film.
