Was this film released in the States? I saw this six hour epic in London last summer and it is without a doubt by favourite Italian film of this millenium.
It's a film that touches every level - and in the hours in which it documents thirty years of change in Italy through the story of a rather complex Roman family, you can't help but be touched. I never cry during films, not even during Bambi, but as the credits rolled on this one, I wept.
The film won a prize at Cannes in 2003 but if anyone hasn't seen it, I'd recommend it.
It's a film that touches every level - and in the hours in which it documents thirty years of change in Italy through the story of a rather complex Roman family, you can't help but be touched. I never cry during films, not even during Bambi, but as the credits rolled on this one, I wept.
The film won a prize at Cannes in 2003 but if anyone hasn't seen it, I'd recommend it.
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Re: La meglio gioventu/ the best of youth
Sat, July 2, 2005 - 7:53 PM"The Best of Youth" wasn't so much released in the States, as sought out by a few of the film cognoscenti. It played in San Francisco at the Balboa, an independent theater whose owner is passionate about film.
Also, this isn't a film in the traditional sense. It was a six hour, made for TV mini-series that aired in Europe to wide acclaim... so much so that it has been released as a 2-part film.
Having grown up travelling to Italy a great deal during the 70's and 80's as a child/teenager (my mother was Italian, and we visited family in Rome and Turin regularly) this film resonates on many levels... particularly the social structures of Italian families during the period of time depicted. It was a great shift for Italian families coming out of the 50's and post-war Italy, and grappling with the modern world.
"The Best of Youth" is a very accessible film that presents many of life's complexities in a very human way. If it screens near you, or becomes available on video, you SHOULD see it.
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Re: La meglio gioventu/ the best of youth
Mon, May 22, 2006 - 1:45 AMOK, so I had to take a few breaks in between (I mean this movie is six hours and all), but the movie was well worth the time that I spent watching it. I hear ya, Zoe, on the crying. The film resonated with me so much that it made me think back on my family relationships and what has happened through the years as I was watching the film. It hits you on a very human level. And I like how the historical aspects didn't trump the storytelling. The characters' involvements and situations didn't seem unnatural or awkward at all. Aside from that, the ensemble cast turns in a superb and solid performance. The good thing about it being a made-for-TV is that there are natural pauses where you can leave it alone for a bit, come back and fall right back into the story again. You definitely don't have to sit through the entire thing in one sitting like I did (definitely had time to burn tonight), but this film's worth it. -
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Re: La meglio gioventu/ the best of youth
Sat, June 3, 2006 - 3:28 AMI agree with allof you guys, this movie is really delicious, though I have not seen it as an entire movie, just the tv double (or was it triple, forgot!)episode. I won't add anything new to your comments, you said it all-it depicts those aspects of Italian tradition, culture and history, as a painting, complete, so well throughout those decades. Moving and intelligent, natural and human, I really felt 'as part of the story'; you're definetly right Jessica, the historical aspects never trump the storytelling, plus the only personal thing I may add you didn't mention, to me, Locascio is awesome!!
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