Human Capital is a potent dose of European cinema tracking the aftermath of a hit and run

MOVIE REVIEW: Human Capital is a potent dose of European cinema following the aftermath of a hit and run car accident that has more than one victim.

Human Capital (MA15+)

Director: Paolo Virzi (Her Whole Life Ahead)

Starring: Fabrizio Bentivoglio, Matilde Gioli, Valeria Bruni Tedeschi, Valeria Golino.

Rating: 4 stars

Accumulate and deteriorate

In Human Capital, we have a stinging snapshot of a contemporary Italy where those doing well know the price of everything, and the value of nothing.

As adapted from American author Stephen Amidon’s novel of the same name, an intimately inter-linked plot hinges upon events one day either side of a tragic hit-run accident.

The lead-up and aftermath are repeated from the perspectives of three featured characters, summoning both an intense whodunnit and a withering social critique that function surprisingly well in tandem.

First-up, our guide is the skittish, excitable real estate salesman Dino (Fabrizio Bentivoglio).

He has recently become the tennis partner of a rich businessman named Bernaschi (Fabrizio Gifuni), and then excitedly invested more money than he can afford in his new friend’s hedge fund.

Tired of her lifestyle ... Carla (Valeria Bruni Tedeschi) in Human Capital

The next semi-reliable witness is Bernaschi’s wife Carla (Valeria Bruni Tedeschi), who is becoming bored with her affluent lifestyle, but is not yet ready to change her ways.

Finally, there is Dino’s teenage daughter Serena (a standout performance by newcomer Matilde Gioli). She has been going out with Bernaschi’s teenage son, who just happens to the prime suspect in the hit-run that has quickly become a big media story.

Each character mentioned here is destined to use what they do and do not know about the accident to what they think is their own advantage.

Live changed forever ... a scene from the movie Human Capital.

However, if you’re expecting karma to casually come along and put everything back as it should be, be assured that Human Capital won’t be playing any such formulaic games.

Writing and performances are top-notch across the board here, as is the coolly calculating direction of filmmaker Paolo Virza.

If you’ve been looking for another potent dose of European cinema since the superb Force Majeure, this equally accomplished affair is where you should go.

Human Capital is now showing in Victoria at the Nova Carlton, Sun Yarraville, Classic Elsternwick, Cameo Belgrave, in NSW at the Roseville Cinema and in Queensland at the Regal Twin.

Originally published as Human Capital is a potent dose of European cinema tracking the aftermath of a hit and run