- Film Review
- Reviewed By Alan Jones
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5 out of 5
Director Giuseppe Tornatore's autobiographical epic inspired by his early life in Sicily is one of the most expensive Italian productions ever made - and certainly looks it. From the magical realist opening to the operatic finale, everything in this ravishingly photographed scrapbook of sun-kissed memories and picture-postcard nostalgia is sweeping, involving, romantic and disarmingly sentimental. Set in the Palermo suburb of Bagheria (Baarìa in the local dialect), the multi-generational plot mainly follows shepherd's son Peppino (based on Tornatore's father, and beautifully played by Francesco Scianna), who turns his back on family tradition and joins the Italian Communist Party. He goes on to marry the beautiful Mannina (exquisite model/actress Margareth Madè), father five children, emigrate to France during hard times and eventually return to be elected a city councillor. Tornatore's child's eye view of a constantly and artfully changing landscape is filled with engaging characters and colourful incident, making this another immensely moving and elegant charmer like Cinema Paradiso - with yet another wonderful Ennio Morricone score to match.
Plot Summary
Italian period drama starring Francesco Scianna. From his boyhood in a small town in Sicily during the 1930s, young Peppino and his family live through 50 years of change, from the the rise of facism and the suffering of war, to the growth of communism and shadowy presence of the Mafia.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Peppino
- Francesco Scianna
- Mannina
- Margareth Madè
- Sarina (young girl)
- Nicole Grimaudo
- Sarina (adult)
- Angela Molina
- Tana
- Lina Sastri
- Cicci (adult)
- Gaetano Aronica
- Corteccia
- Giorgio Faletti
- Liborio
- Leo Gullotta
- Minicu
- Enrico Lo Verso
- Giacomo Bartolotta
- Nino Frassica
- Roman reporter
- Raoul Bova
- Master, Board of Examiners
- Gabriele Lavia
Crew
- Director
- Giuseppe Tornatore
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