Nanni Moretti, the veteran Italian director best known for his political satires and introspective dramas, has ventured into full-blown melodrama with "It Will Happen Tonight" ("Succederà questa notte"), premiering at Venice. The film marks a notable tonal shift for the 73-year-old, who has spent decades as one of Italy's most consistent arthouse filmmakers, and raises questions about whether soap-opera sentimentality suits his usual sharp, deadpan style. The review finds the result uneven but watchable, blending Moretti's trademark humour with an increasingly melodramatic story.

The film follows Matteo (Louis Garrel) and Greta (Jasmine Trinca) across roughly 17 years and several cities, including Rome, Oslo, Turin, San Sebastián and Mumbai, as the pair repeatedly and coincidentally cross paths despite pursuing separate relationships, careers and family lives. Adapted by Moretti with Federica Pontremoli and Valia Santella from stories by Israeli author Eshkol Nevo, the script leans heavily on contrivance and serendipity, though early scenes retain Moretti's characteristic wit before the tone darkens. Moretti himself appears in a supporting role as Greta's father, providing much of the film's comic relief, while Trinca and Garrel anchor the sprawling romance with committed performances.