MOVIE REVIEW

In the Italian film, a male porn star discovers the meaning of life.

By Kevin Thomas, Times Staff Writer

"Adored: Diary of a Male Porn Star" is far from an instance of a title telling the story, no matter how titillating it sounds.

There are amusingly scorching but discreet moments that make clear what the central character does for a living, yet it's understandable why this skillfully made Italian heart-tugger was a success on home ground. Its star, Marco Filiberti, in an audacious writing and directing debut, has lots on his mind and much in his heart, and as a filmmaker displays a Douglas Sirkian flair for finding substance in melodrama. While the film takes place in the present it is a flashback. Its clutch of talking heads are part of a documentary being in the future.

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At 29 and after 11 years in the business, Filiberti's Riki Kandinsky is Italy's top gay male porn star. He has graced many a cover of a gay magazine, has made lots of money and lives in a sleek apartment in a fine, old Roman building facing an ancient piazza. Riki loves his work, takes pride in his skills as a performer, enjoys occasional casual sex but otherwise leads a life of solitude.

In short, Riki, is a man feeling in complete control of his destiny when he receives word that his father, a prominent public figure, has died. Riki's older brother Federico (Urbano Barberini) has come to Rome to settle their father's estate. Federico knows nothing of Riki's life, and Riki, born Riccardo Soldani, has never revealed his real name.

The heart of "Adored" is the brothers' impact on each other. Initially horrified when he finds out about Riki, Federico calms down as he begins to get to know his brother. Yet Federico ultimately affects Riki more deeply. Having had one bad experience with love, Riki has decided that it doesn't exist, at least not for him. Through Federico, Riki discovers the importance of family. In witnessing a 6-year-old boy (Edouardo Minciotti) losing his mother, Riki experiences an awakening of paternal feelings.

Riki is a veritable Mary Worth when it comes to solving other people's problems, but he has isolated himself from a society that is hostile to gays. Filiberti has fun spoofing the steaminess of porn, while he skewers homophobia without being overly preachy. Riki is a complex character, aware of his own narcissism and a gay man who can feel lonely and marginalized. Reveling in his celebrity and its absurdity, he resists being loved. He learns to take risks, even one that's as foolhardy as it is brave. The surprising ending of "Adored" is needlessly downbeat — yet open to interpretations, the best perhaps being that Riki decided to make a sacrifice that would give his life meaning.

'Adored: Diary of a Male Porn Star'

Unrated: Unrated.

Times guidelines: Strong but not graphic sexuality, adult themes and situations.

Marco Filiberti...Riki Kandinsky/Riccardo Soldani

Urbano Barberini...Federico Soldani

Alessandra Acciai...Juli

Rosalinda Celentano...Luna

Francesca d'Aloja...Charlotte

Edouardo Minciotti...Plapla

A Wolfe release of a Corsaro presentation produced by Samantha Gaetani and Alessandro Tonnini for Campinella Productions S.r.l. Writer-director Marco Filiberti. Cinematographer Stefano Pancaldi. Editor Valentina Girodo. Costumes Eva Coen. Production designer Livia Borgognoni. In Italian with English subtitles.

Running time: 1 hour, 45 minutes.

Exclusively at the Regent Showcase, 614 N. La Brea Ave., L.A., (323) 934-2944, and the University 6, Campus Drive across from UCI Irvine, (800) FANDANGO, 143#.