Aspirants encounter unexpected comic mayhem in the narrative titled 'I Don't Understand You,' as they delve into the adoption process.
Title: Dark Comedy "I Don't Understand You": A Hilariously Chaotic Adoption Adventure Gone Wrong
Brian Crano and David Joseph Craig, a real-life couple who themselves adopted a child, bring us a wildly funny and dark dark comedy set in beautiful Italy. Dom (Nick Kroll) and Cole (Andrew Rannells), an eager, well-off gay couple, are on a mission to adopt a baby. Their heartwarming video application for a prospective birth mother, Candace, shows the couple's charm and vulnerability and leaves you rooting for them to succeed.
However, their adoption journey takes a dramatic turn when they embark on a dreamy Italian vacation for their anniversary. A series of unfortunate events lead them to become lost in the countryside, where they encounter a gruff local with a tempterament as volatile as Italy's active volcanoes. As panic sets in, their nightmare begins.
Things take a turn for the bizarre when they reach the remote farmhouse of Francesca (Eleonora Romandini), a friendly but mysterious nonna who seems to have a hidden agenda. Her hulking, menacing son Massimo (Morgan Spector) further fuels the couple's paranoia, making for a blood-soaked, panic-inducing dinner filled with miscommunication, fear, and self-doubt.
Although everyone delivers commendable performances, the humor in "I Don't Understand You" is primarily a hit or miss. The film attempts to balance dark, absurd jokes with social commentary on microaggressions and anxiety experienced by minority groups, particularly gay men. While it forays into uncomfortable territory, the end result is a film that could have been funnier with more finesse in storytelling.
Inspired by their real-life adoption experience, the filmmakers opted for a silly horror comedy instead of yet another earnest social issue drama, which is a welcome and encouraging move. Co-producer Amanda Knox's involvement in the project is also noteworthy, given her own experiences in Italy.
Overall, "I Don't Understand You" offers a unique blend of humor and horror, unearthing the chaos and absurdity of travel and impending parenthood. Despite its shortcomings, its dark comedic take on these themes makes it a must-watch for those craving something a little off the beaten path.
- Rated: R, for bloody violence and language
- Running time: 1 hour, 36 minutes
- Playing: In selected theaters nationwide
- The dark comedy "I Don't Understand You," set in California's partner-city Los Angeles, presents an unconventional take on adoption, portraying a hilarious yet chaotic adventure that combines elements of entertainment, movies, and TV.
- Despite the film's premiere in beautiful Italy, the volatile local encounter, followed by a blood-soaked dinner filled with miscommunication, fear, and self-doubt, offers a stark contrast to the picturesque backdrop, embodying the volatile nature of justice and the complexity of human relationships.
- Fans of movies-and-tv who appreciate offbeat humor can catch "I Don't Understand You" in selected theaters nationwide, experiencing the film's unique blend of humor and horror that illuminates the often unpredictable and absurd journey towards parenthood.
