"The Solitude of Prime Numbers" is a 2010 Italian drama film directed by Saverio Costanzo, based on the novel of the same name by Paolo Giordano. The story follows Alice and Mattia, two individuals who are both struggling with their past traumas and their difficulties in connecting with others.
Alice (played by Alba Rohrwacher) is a young woman who has a noticeable limp from a skiing accident she suffered as a child. She feels isolated and disconnected from others, but finds solace in her love of photography. She begins a tumultuous friendship with a boy named Viola, who has his own struggles with mental health and self-harm.
Mattia (played by Luca Marinelli) is a brilliant mathematician who carries the weight of guilt after he left his twin sister alone in a park when they were children. She disappeared and was never found, leaving Mattia to navigate a life of loneliness and self-punishment. He becomes a math tutor for a troubled young girl named Amalia, who develops feelings for him.
As the years pass, Alice and Mattia's paths intersect and diverge, as they try to find some meaning and connection in their lives. They both struggle with the concept of intimacy and the fear of further pain and loss. The film explores themes of trauma, guilt, identity, and the longing for human connection. The cinematography is striking and beautiful, capturing the sometimes bleak, sometimes hopeful landscapes of the characters' inner worlds.
"The Solitude of Prime Numbers" received mixed reviews upon release, with some praising the performances and emotional depth, while others found the story slow-moving and melodramatic. However, it remains a poignant exploration of the human condition, and a meditation on the beauty and isolation of individuals who see themselves as prime numbers in a world of fractions.
