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Rating: "Paradiso + Inferno" is a drama film focused on drug addiction and dependencies in general. If the trailer gave the impression of an endless nonsense, you will probably have a chance to change your mind.
Danny (Heath Ledger) and Candy (Abbie Cornish) are a couple of drug addicts getting by as best they can, pilfering, borrowing from the "family friend" Casper (Geoffrey Rush) and from her parents, who have strong doubts about the couple. Despite this, the two decide to get married. Always short on money, they live by their wits to make ends meet, until Candy becomes pregnant and the two have to change something in their lives; so they lock themselves up in a room to stay away from the temptations of cocaine (as already seen in Danny Boyle's "Trainspotting").
The film is divided, like a play, into three acts: heaven, earth, hell. The structure somewhat recalls the Japanese No drama structure: introduction, breakdown, catastrophe.
The atmospheres recreated by the film are as squalid as can be, and truly make the viewer feel uncomfortable: obviously, nothing new, since the theme of drug addiction has already been used and overused. But the scenes in the countryside house really bring unease and anguish, when jealousy creeps into Danny's mind because of the country charmer who seems to be "hitting on" Candy.
The roles of the two characters recall the first scene of the spinning wheel: they exchange roles, with the one who was previously submissive and idle starting to work hard to get out of the pitiful situation, and vice versa. The direction, except for some scenes, doesn't show particular signs of mastery, but is easily appreciable. Although the acting at points descends into extreme drama (the trailer reported these excesses, discouraging me a lot), the actors assert themselves, and Geoffrey Rush is decidedly more than a caricature.
An enjoyable film: certainly not a masterpiece, but a good film. Don't be discouraged by the previews; it could be a pleasant surprise.
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