Charlize Theron under the Lion. Photo by Laura Cecilli

My technique, when I’m not quite sure about whether I like something or not, is to write up a list of ‘pros and cons.’

And so far, I must admit that I’m quite concerned with the quality of the movies (and parties) of this year’s Mostra del Cinema in Venice. I’ve decided that it is about time to draw up my little list of the positive and negative…

Pros:

• Anne Hathaway’s silver gown: a piece of dreamy couture with a long (and slightly dangerous) train

• Lancia’s cafè in the Hotel Excelsior Terrace: the place to see and be seen

• The Coen brothers’ new movie, Burn After Reading–so funny and yet so true

• The couches at the Press Lounge inside the Casinò: have you ever sat on something as comfy?

• Miss Theron’s hair: you don’t need extensions to be gorgeous (but of course being a slim, tall blonde girl will help)

Cons:

• Mosquitos, mosquitos, mosquitos (God I hate those insects!)

• Mr Müller’s belly button: you can’t wear a skimpy turtleneck if your stomach is not as toned as Brad’s and if outside it is a sweltering 30°

• The duration of movies: only The Dark Knight can last 152 minutes without boring you (or causing you to fall asleep). All other movies should not to go beyond the standard 90′…please!

• The hosting celebrities: I don’t think that international audiences have been impressed by the low profile and almost strictly Italian (pseudo) VIPs that have graced the red carpet…

• The parties: what parties?? In past occasions, I remember going out every night and sneaking into glittering worlds filled with hot music, people and drinks…but I guess those days are long gone.

In the end, although these two lists have practically the same number of pros and cons, I find it quite hard to get rid of the deception (and disappointment) caused by the many imperfections of this 65th Edition.

Of course, there are several causes of these various problems (the US writers’ strike, the European economic crisis…) but in the past, we have had many a beautiful movie created during even tougher times, such as those by Chaplin and De Sica.

So, although not everything has gone terribly wrong in this year’s edition, I really do hope things will get better soon. We all surely need more glitter, more charme and yes, much more intriguing and well-created movies to cheer our lives up a little.

Or don’t we?