When Romance Turns to Melodrama: Nanni Moretti’s It Will Happen Tonight

Nanni Moretti’s latest film, It Will Happen Tonight (Succederà questa notte), has left many wondering if the celebrated Italian auteur has finally crossed into soap opera territory. The 17-year romance that unfolds on screen is indeed a searing and emotionally charged tale of love and loss, but one that also veers wildly into melodrama at times.

Moretti’s filmography spans over four decades, during which he has consistently pushed the boundaries of arthouse cinema with his introspective comedies and satirical politics. His work often carries a personal touch that borders on vulnerability, as seen in It Will Happen Tonight, where the story of two lovers who keep crossing paths over several decades is woven together with humor and levity.

The film’s narrative structure is intentionally convoluted, skipping forward and backward in time to introduce its protagonists, Matteo and Greta, in multiple locations around the world. This might feel like a gimmick at first, but Moretti’s script relies on the audience’s willingness to accept these coincidences as fate rather than mere plot devices. Early scenes are sprinkled with humor, making the viewer more invested in the characters’ lives.

However, the film’s shift towards melodrama is jarring, particularly once Matteo and Greta finally give in to their mutual attraction. The movie descends into a series of improbable twists and turns, each one pushing the narrative further into absurdity. The script requires a significant leap of faith from the audience, which can be forgiven given Moretti’s track record with moods that shift effortlessly from light to dark.

Moretti’s handling of these moments is often tongue-in-cheek, but they also feel like a departure from his usual tone. It’s as if he’s trying to balance the emotional stakes with a self-awareness that sometimes feels forced. The film’s climax, which involves a teary-eyed sing-along to Bruce Springsteen’s “Hungry Heart,” is particularly overwrought and might have benefited from more restraint.

In many ways, It Will Happen Tonight can be seen as a reflection of our times. We live in an age where coincidences are often attributed to fate rather than chance, and Moretti’s film taps into this sentiment with its central premise. The story of two people who keep crossing paths is both romantic and unsettling, highlighting the complexities of love in the modern world.

Moretti’s decision to balance tone may be a result of commercial pressures, but it has resulted in a film that feels like a compromise between his signature style and market demands. While it may not be as consistently engaging as some of his earlier work, It Will Happen Tonight remains a thought-provoking exploration of love, loss, and the human condition.

As the film’s narrative winds down, one can’t help but feel that Moretti has left us with a more nuanced understanding of the complexities that make life worth living. The final shot of Matteo and Greta embracing on screen is a poignant reminder that sometimes, it takes a lifetime to find what we’re looking for.