Movies: Madly (2025) by Paolo Genovese: A First Date Inside the Mind

The Voices in Our Heads Madly, with the original title Follemente, is a 2025 Italian romantic comedy directed by Paolo Genovese. The film takes a unique approach to the classic first-date narrative by plunging the audience into the minds of the two protagonists, Piero and Lara. It personifies their inner egos and conflicting thoughts, which are constantly bickering and influencing their choices. The movie stars Edoardo Leo and Pilar Fogliati as the two leads, with a talented supporting cast playing their internal voices. The film has been a commercial success in Italy, grossing over $21 million worldwide on a budget of approximately €8.3 million.

Why to watch this movie: A Fresh Take on the Rom-Com

• A creative and clever premise: The film's unique hook is its personification of inner thoughts, which gives a visual and humorous twist to the anxiety and internal chaos of a first date. It's a high-concept idea that makes the familiar romantic comedy formula feel fresh.

• Witty and sharp dialogue: Despite some criticism, many viewers praise the film for its sharp and witty dialogue, which provides plenty of laughs and makes the internal monologues engaging. The humor is said to be self-aware and relatable, particularly for an Italian audience.

• A talented ensemble cast: The movie features a cast of talented and well-known Italian actors, including Edoardo Leo, Pilar Fogliati, and Emanuela Fanelli. Their performances are often highlighted as a major strength of the film, as they bring depth and humor to both the protagonists and their inner voices.

Where to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/it/film/follemente (Italy)

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt34621892/\

Link Review: https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/474006/

What Trend is followed? The 'Internal World' Film The film follows the trend of exploring the "internal world" of characters, a cinematic style made popular by films like Pixar's Inside Out.

• This trend externalizes the abstract concepts of thoughts, emotions, and memories, creating a visual and often comedic representation of a character's inner life.

• While Madly is a romantic comedy for adults, it uses a similar premise to explore the insecurities, doubts, and conflicting desires that a person experiences during a first date.

• This approach allows the film to delve into psychological themes in a creative and accessible way.

Director's Vision: A Deeper Look into Human Connection

• Beyond the surface: Director Paolo Genovese’s vision was to go beyond the surface of a simple romantic comedy. By immersing the audience in the minds of the characters, he intended to reveal the hidden thoughts and internal conflicts that influence our behavior and choices.

• A modern reflection of Italian society: The director aimed to ground the film in an authentic Italian setting that feels both real and current. The humor and cultural nuances are tailored to an Italian audience, reflecting the dynamics of dating and relationships in modern Italy.

• Finding the universal in the specific: While the film is rooted in its Italian identity, Genovese's goal was to explore universal themes of love, loneliness, and the search for connection that can resonate with anyone, anywhere.

Themes: The Anxieties of Modern Dating

• The conflict between ego and authenticity: The film explores the constant battle between a person's desire to present a perfect version of themselves and their true, messy thoughts and feelings. The inner egos are the embodiment of this conflict.

• Communication and connection: By focusing on the inner monologues, the film highlights the gap between what people say and what they're really thinking. It raises questions about the difficulties of true communication and forming genuine connections.

• Loneliness and the search for love: Despite its comedic tone, the film delves into the underlying feelings of loneliness and the desperate search for a meaningful relationship that drives the characters' actions.

Key Success Factors: Commercial and Critical Appeal

• Commercial success: The film’s impressive worldwide gross of over $21 million on a moderate budget is a major success factor. This shows strong audience reception, particularly in Italy.

• Relatability of the premise: The film's concept of a first date being a chaotic internal battle is highly relatable to a modern audience, which contributed to its popularity.

• Balance of humor and depth: According to a review, the film strikes a balance between "lighthearted moments and meaningful reflection," which allows it to be both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Awards and Nominations: Recognition for a Successful Comedy Madly has been recognized with a total of 2 wins and 3 nominations. The film was also listed among the 24 films pre-selected by the Brazilian Academy of Cinema to compete for a spot for Best International Film at the 2026 Oscars. This shows a high level of critical and industry recognition.

Critics Reception: A Divisive but Thought-Provoking Film

• Nembokid (IMDb): This review criticizes the film for being a "shameless echo" of Inside Out and finds the script "stumbles with repetitive rants." The reviewer also notes a "lackluster chemistry between leads" but acknowledges the film's commercial success in Italy.

• NicolaC-45 (IMDb): This critic called the film "a mess" and "a hollow exercise in mediocrity." They argue that the film is "painfully static," with a weak script and a lack of narrative momentum.

• Sntvcn (IMDb): This reviewer praises the film as a "highly successful comedy" with "sharp and witty dialogue, well-paced storytelling, and outstanding performances." They believe the film's "strong Italian identity" may limit its international appeal but predict it will "inspire numerous remakes."

Overall, critics are divided. While some find the film to be a tedious and uninspired copycat of Inside Out, others praise its wit, humor, and unique approach to the genre.

Reviews: A Hit in Italy, but Panned by Some

• Ggc1 (IMDb): This reviewer, who gave the film a 4/10, found it "incredibly tedious" and "boring and fake," suggesting it's only for a mature Italian audience.

• LorisP-47 (IMDb): This reviewer, with an 8/10, praised the film as a "thoughtful Italian take" on the concept, finding it to be a "fresh reinterpretation" of Inside Out that is "both real and current."

• sntvcn (IMDb): This user gave the film an 8/10, calling it a "highly successful comedy" with "sharp and witty dialogue" and "outstanding performances."

Overall, reviews suggest that the film is a hit with an Italian audience that appreciates its specific cultural humor and style, but it may not translate as well to an international audience.

Release dates: Italian Theatrical Premiere Release date on streaming: A streaming release date is not provided in the information. Theatrical Release: Madly was theatrically released in Italy on February 20, 2025.

What Movie Trend film is following: The 'Ital-Rom-Com' Revival The film is part of a trend of new Italian romantic comedies that are not afraid to be both lighthearted and deeply psychological. This trend, often referred to as a "revival of Italian comedy," focuses on sharp dialogue, relatable social scenarios, and a deep understanding of Italian cultural nuances. Madly fits squarely into this trend by using a high-concept idea to tell a very Italian story about love and connection.

What Big Social Trend is following: The Mental Health Dialogue The film taps into the ongoing social trend of open dialogue around mental health, specifically the anxiety, overthinking, and internal conflicts that are a common part of modern life. By externalizing the characters' inner thoughts, the film normalizes the internal chaos and self-doubt that people experience, making it a relatable and timely piece of entertainment.

Final Verdict: A Culturally Specific Crowd-Pleaser Madly is a culturally specific crowd-pleaser that is most likely to be appreciated by an Italian audience. While its premise is clever, its execution can be hit-or-miss for a global audience, as its humor and a focus on dialogue may feel stale to some. However, its commercial success, strong cast, and high-concept approach make it a notable entry in the romantic comedy genre. For those interested in an innovative and very Italian take on a familiar story, Madly is a worthwhile watch.