Watch The Confessions

Set on the luxurious grounds of a serene German coastal resort, The Confessions from 2016 is an unforgettable Italian thriller. The movie follows a brilliant analytical mind grappling with the harrowing weight of dark secrets, bureaucratic power plays, and the disillusionment of modern society. The protagonist of The Confessions is none other than Roberto Salus, portrayed impeccably by Italian actor Toni Servillo. Salus is a monk who has been invited to attend a meeting with the G8 finance ministers hosted at the German resort by Daniel Roché (Daniel Auteuil), a wealthy and influential Swiss banker. Roché is visibly tormented by some hidden guilt and seeks Salus out for a private conversation. In a desperate attempt to lift the burden of his soul, Roché confesses to Salus that he has made a fortune by financing arms trade and even mentions his involvement in a war crime that remains unpunished.

But when Daniel Roché is found dead the day after their conversation, all eyes turn to Salus as the only witness of the crime – one that could hurt the reputation of the G8 leaders and jeopardize Roché’s vast financial empire. From then on, the monk becomes an unwilling participant in an intricate game of chess between the G8 members, the hotel staff, and a mysterious bodyguard played by Pierfrancesco Favino, who seems to be working for a higher power.

The Confessions stands out for its complex and unpredictable plot, which gives the viewer just enough information to suspect that everything is not what it seems. The screenplay, written by Roberto Andò, smartly mixes elements of political satire, philosophical musings, and murder-mystery in a tight and compelling story that never loses its momentum. Adding to the intrigue are the references to real contemporary debates, such as the role of the International Monetary Fund in the global economy, the morality of the arms industry, and the quest for personal responsibility.

At the same time, The Confessions is a sumptuous feast for cinephiles, as the director Andò stages his story as a visual symphony of light and shadows, color and texture. The German location of the movie, with its forests and waterfalls and modernist architecture, is a character in itself, creating both a calm beauty and a claustrophobic atmosphere that reflects the characters’ psychological states. The camera work by French cinematographer Maurizio Calvesi captures the elegance of the surroundings, while also exploring the nuances of the actors’ expressions and gestures.

Speaking of the actors, the cast of The Confessions is a dream team of international talent. Toni Servillo, who won the Best Actor award at the European Film Awards for his role as Salus, is mesmerizing as a man who has renounced the world but is forced to confront its ugliness. Servillo’s natural charisma and gravitas make the audience care about Salus, even when he keeps his cards close to his chest. Daniel Auteuil, a French legend, brings a much-needed complexity to the role of Roché, who is neither a fully sympathetic character nor a pure villain. The subtle interactions between Servillo and Auteuil are some of the most poignant moments of the movie. And finally, Pierfrancesco Favino, an Italian actor known for his edgy performance in the thriller Romanzo Criminale, adds a layer of enigma to the plot as the intriguingly named “The Missionary.”

Overall, The Confessions is a movie that defies easy categorization. It’s a thriller, a drama, a satire, an exploration of morality, and a feast for the senses, all rolled into one impeccable package. The movie leaves you thinking long after the credits have rolled, pondering on questions about the transparency of power, the morality of personal choices, and the fragility of human beings when confronted with their own demons. Whether you’re a fan of Italian cinema or just love a good plot twist, The Confessions is a must-watch.

The Confessions is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1 and a MetaScore of 42.