Essentially a character study that focuses on a lonely and repellent man that offers us an abundance of reasons to feel loathsome towards him. The man's actions are driven by greed, lust and wealth, the very factors that lead to his demise. Sorrentino accentuates his desires in the film through the manipulation of imagery: money is represented as food as he considers it necessary and vital for his living, while women are represented as pieces of artworks, a visual feast for his personal enjoyment and pleasure. Though we may feel disdain for the man and his actions, our interest and intrigue grows to understand the nature of the man. Many of Sorrention's leading figures in his films are purposefully reserved and indirect in nature. Sorrentino intentionally restrains characteristics and qualities in his leading figures, allowing us as viewers to constantly speculate and comprehend the complexion of his characters.
