Italian for Beginners
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Movie Reviews of Italian for Beginners
Movie Review: Truly splendid
Summary: 4 Stars
I was lukewarm towards this movie in Movie Festival few years back because it's a Danish movie (Danish and Italians are simply mutually exclusive, in my humble opinion) and secondly, it's a Dogme movie: the kind of projects that are stripped to the bare essentials and the movies are to be seen on their artistic merits and not because of "noises" such as SFX, sound, clever editing and so forth. Therefore, excellence was emphasised upon the talent and courage of the actors and actresses. At times, art movies were not cohesive and that they were there to shock, to challenge, to conjure an experience for the viewers. After much consideration, I flagged it until few days ago, when I decided to give it a chance. It's quite surreal to see a movie that's made using cam-cameras and that it felt documentary-ish. Somehow, it pulled off neatly. The movie started in fractures: a clumsy baker who tended to an abusive father, a lonely hairdresser that got bothered by her alcoholic mother, a new priest who started a congregation whose wife had just died (of horrible circumstance), a restaurant owner that had a chip on his shoulder, a dull but good-natured hotel manager that was looking for his elusive other half, and Guiliana (the Italian girl). Whilst their lives were less than fulfilled, they found solace and comfort in their Italian class. As it progressed, they also found friendship, strength and encouragement from that tight-knit group. Guiliana, the Italian girl seemed to be a metaphor to have all those characters intertwined and the finale ended appropriately at Italy, at the doorsteps of Venice as they ridded of their demons. Yes, I got a huge grin on my face with a huge sigh of satisfaction. It's really that good. It's been long time coming to have a movie that unfolded slowly and yet, so effective. There's a short story in the extras, references (CV)of the main actors and actresses, and other standard technical stuff. For those that could understand Danish language, there were additional extras for you! An experience of a lifetime! Buon AppetitoMovie Review: Very sweet. do the research and you'll understand!
Summary: 4 Stars
What a charming movie...I am so glad I fell into it. I found this on the ELove channel, I think, or something like that, after I did a word search on "Italian" through my DVR...I had never heard of the movie or the actors, and I was surprised, as I typically have my eyes and ears open for anything Italian...
Then I found out why: It is Danish! As the movie began, I, like others, was thrown off a bit by the cinematic style...but the characters and themes drew me in. By the way, if anybody from that channel is watching, your description of the movie falls desolately short!
After watching for awhile, I decided to do some research to find out where this movie came from and what it was all about, etc...I had assumed it was German or Dutch, though when I heard the character name "Pernille" I remembered that I have a Danish friend named Pernille...that should have been my first tip off...and then the other Scandinavian names, and the fact that they kept saying "Tak" when they said Thank you...but as I have traveled through some Scandinavian and Germanic countries, they often have some cross-over...ultimately, though, that is partly why I decided I had to look it up.
I am so glad I did. I had no previous knowledge of Dogme95 or any of that...How fascinating! I feel like I have been handed an education at only the small cost of a few hours of my day which were quite enjoyable (the movie plus research time).
Sure, some parts of the movie seem implausible, but some are SO plausible it hurts a little in that uncomfortable real-to-life way. And that is a good thing.
Thoroughly enjoyed it. Highly recommend it.
Movie Review: How very odd...
Summary: 4 Stars
Your first impression of this movie will be "OMG, they filmed this with a home movie camera!", which I believe they did. You get over it fast enough though because the script and characters really are able to draw you in. Perhaps this 'home-movie' feel was done on purpose (or mabey all Dutch films ar so low-budget) because it makes the entire movie seem so much more viceral and real; you'll feel almost voyeuristic watching it. The story centers around seven (ending up with nine) people who take an Italian class together, and all the drama and humor that follow them. I found this film uproriously funny, not so much at the script, but at the film making (the way they show the final credits is priceless). The script is, however, quite well done. The humor is very believeable, but not the kind that makes you cringe like so many American films do ("rushmore" is a perfect example of cringe-humor). It only got four stars from me because it lacked much new insight into relationships. The characters all found eachother it the same traditional way that most characters in romances do. However, it does well to avoid the annoying and somewhat unrealistic dramas that Julia Roberts seems plagued with. Their pain seem much more plausable, and for that I'm thankful.
Movie Review: Life, loss and love
Summary: 4 Stars
I have seen advertisement for this movie in the library and decided to see it. It is Danish independent movie and it starts a little bit awkward. Directing feels as if someone was making a home-made movie, rather than a film. But if you can get over that, and just keep watching the movie, you will find it to be delightful. It is a story about people in a small Danish town. They are all lonely and enduring loss of people close to them (parents, spouses, etc.). In spite of the fact that the relationships of our main characters with the people they are loosing is far from perfect, they genuinely miss the people they have lost and grieve deeply. As life goes on, so does their desire to redefine themselves and find a new purpose. They start taking italian language classes at the local community center. It is the weekly classes and the comeraderie that helps them create their own sort of support group. All characters are well defined and their personal story is touching. What I found a little annoying about the film is the fact that by making the characters not too smart is somehow comedic. The story is great and i would recommend anyone to watch this film. It will give one totally new perspective on grief, life, love, loneliness and coping.Movie Review: A wonderfully delicate story with crude realism...
Summary: 4 Stars
Italian for Beginners is shot in the Dogma 95 style, which brings the audience a crude, yet delicate story that surrounds a number of characters that are attending an Italian evening class. There is a young pastor who recently has lost his wife, a lonely middle-aged man, a hostile restaurant manager, an insecure and clumsy bakery assistant, a longing hairdresser, a young and attractive Italian woman wishing for a husband, and three older women who have been given a second chance. The students of the class all get to know each other through a number of emotional experiences that tie there lives together along with the Italian class. Italians for Beginners deals with a number of powerful issues such as death, love, hope, solitude, and forgiveness. These issues are cleverly tied together as the audience witnesses the raw cinematography of Dogma 95, which enhances the realism of each scene. The realism further enhances understanding for each issue addressed in the film as it leaves the audience with a terrific cinematic experience.