Love in the Time of Money

Peter Mattei's film, yet another variation on Arthur Schnitzler's Reigen, is one of those roundelays that jumps from character to character until the first person is reintroduced at the end to close the circle. The problem isn't the picture's shape, which may be familiar but can still fascinate, as much as the fact that most of the episodes are of only mild interest and the characters are rather flat and underdeveloped. Love in the Time of Money centers, as the title indicates, on the themes of sexual longing and desire for gain: it begins with a sequence depicting a john's refusal to pay a young prostitute and, after a series of linked scenes, ends when a suicidal investment broker offers the girl a pile of money to kill him. While the schematic nature of this is all too apparent, the structure isn't necessarily fatal; unfortunately, Mattei's writing isn't very distinguished, nor does his direction avoid a sense of heavy pretentiousness. An able cast, which includes Jill Hennessy, Steve Buscemi, Rosario Dawson, Carol Kane, and Michael Imperioli, adds some insightful touches, but only Adrian Grenier, as a grubby would-be musician, really connects with the audience. Apart from a few shining moments, Love in the Time of Money is a slow, uneventful ride around a pretty rundown old carousel. Not recommended. (F. Swietek)