This is a rather boring question but it's nagging me a little, so here goes: How did Jep get rich? I realize his novel was successful and he has had a successful career as a journalist, but in most countries that would make him middle class, not a member of the 1%, as he seems to be. Does the film make reference to his being born rich?
Thanks for your comments.
There are lots of ways of accumulating money in Italy since they regard avoiding taxes as second nature. He had a lot of high power connections who probably gave him insider information and stock tips. The politicians there think nothing of paying bribes to journalists.
Some journalists who are stubborn about printing the truth have been murdered. See the movie "Il Divo" for a blow by blow account of the ugly side of this movie. Murders and all including the Mafia and the Vatican. It names names.
I don't know everything. Neither does anyone else
Interesting. Thank you.
I'm guessing Jep was born into a pretty wealthy family, or at least upper-middle class. But I am very interested in what others think.
I saw Il Divo a couple of years ago and don't remember it all that well.
Maybe Sorrentino will do a prequel to La GB. I like that idea!
By the way, in real life I'm originally from Joliet.
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He didnt. He did. Something like that. This movie is not about that. Its about the opposite. In this movie Jep life is his 20's and now. What was between that is probably your answer. My guess is- he was making money to live (journalism,contacts,etc) and he was partying.
Do you think a guy like him was idle for 40 years and knows some many people?
I don't think Jep is as rich as he might seem to others. He uses contacts, not money as a currency.
Yes, he wears expensive suits, but he could get those as a favour for a different service. (Perhaps a nice interview in the newspapers?) Yes, his flat has a stunning view over Colosseum, but it doesn't scream "top 1%" at me. What I see is a place that is ten times more modest than the houses that Jep visits every day. (Just compare his kitchen and bedroom to the house of the woman who wanted to show him pictures of herself on a laptop.)
Unlike the party leader's former girlfriend, Jep only employs one woman, who doesn't seem to have a sky-high salary. He has no personal assistant, no chauffeur, no expensive cars.
Jep organises huge parties, but at one point it is implied that he might not do so by himself. In the second half of the film he says to a woman standing next to him: "The train at our parties are the best ones in Rome."
What could this mean? It could mean that it is the woman who pays for the parties, not Jep. Perhaps Jep only invites the people. He is a king of night-life and everyone knows him, so teaming up with him, if you want to hold a great party, might be a fine idea even if he doesn't contribute any money.
So even if he is by no means poor, he doesn't have to be terribly rich either. He can just know the right people.
Just my two cents.
You noticed more subtleties than I.
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its not boring. I believe its a valid question, and also critical to the film, in regards to his view of himself his friends , and acceptance into high society. as well of course to the underlying theme, excess, social culture, laziness, money etc
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