The Best Of Youth
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Movie Reviews of The Best Of Youth
Movie Review: Don't miss this obscure gem!
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Best of Youth" was originally a six-hour mini series on Italian television. Miramax released it in the summer of 2005 as a two-part feature film (3 hours each screening). It is now on DVD -- actually two DVD's for the price of one.
The story is about a family in Rome -- mostly two brothers. It opens with the brothers as university students in 1964 and the film follows their lives for the next 40 years, ending in 2004 and reflecting Italian (and world) history during that period.
It is a classic. I found the first 45 minutes sort of "ordinary, but good made-for-TV" movie fare. But it took that time to grab me, and from then on it was like a page-turner book you couldn't put down.
English subtitles are excellent here. Beautiful on-location cinematography in Rome, Turin, Florence, Palermo, Stromboli, Tuscany and Norway (yes, Norway). Acting is memorable. Script, naturally, superb.
This movie, by the way, was the #1 2005 Movie pick of A.O. Scott, film critic of The New York Times.
Movie Review: Yep, the fastest 6 hours of my life!
Summary: 5 Stars
I was a little skeptical of all the raves about this film especially about how NOT like six whopping hours it felt...and was happily proven wrong.
It's difficult to say exactly what about this film entranced me so much that I watched the first 5 hours at one sitting, then the last hour the next day. So many things are so right about this movie: the acting, dialogue, pacing, story, stunning visual beauty, the music, the scope and sweep of the narrative, beautiful and interesting women, characters who are fleshed out yet still unique and mysterious---I haven't been this engrossed by a movie, let alone one even half this length, in ages! It has the quintessential "Italian" quality of delving into complex subjects/themes without being ponderous or pretentious (French) or preachy (American)...there is an exquisite lightness, affection, humor and joy underneath it all, which does not grow old.
Definitely worth owning and/or repeated viewings.
Movie Review: The movie as a compulsive 1000 page novel
Summary: 5 Stars
Forgive me because I have NOT seen this 6 hour movie yet, but it was playing at an art theater in outer San Francisco during 2005. And SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE film critic Mick La Salle proclaimed it a masterpiece and one of the best movies in ages for intellectual adults. He said the six hours went by like a huge feast or a compulsively readable 1000 page novel. Too bad the theater had no parking and was not in a safe area at night.
Watching THE BEST OF YOUTH on video, stretched out on a bed in bare feet with a bottle of water nearby, the movie's length will probably not be a problem at all. Especially if you play it in two 3 hour sittings over two consecutive nights. Give yourself over to it. Sight-unseen, I hope serious adult moviegoers will find a six hour time slot for this presumed masterpiece. Go with Mr. La Salle's review, not mine. I'd like to buy and lose myself in the DVD.
Movie Review: A compelling and moving film, not to be forgotten
Summary: 5 Stars
My son, who graduated from Tisch School of the Arts at NYU last May, and still lives in NYC gave me this film last Christmas...he knows how much I love indie and foreign films and knew I would enjoy it. As I don't want to be a "spoiler" I can only say I truly enjoyed the film. It especially was meaningful as my husband and I had spent three weeks in Italy last September and seeing all the Italian scenes brought us back to our wonderful stay. We had visited all of the cities and areas in the film, plus other cities not involved. It's a sensitive, educational, moving film which spans over a period of forty years. The story of Nicola and Matteo is a terrific tale, the history of Italian politics was an eye-opener and I was endeared to all of the characters but one, not to be revealed here. I highly endorse this film for anyone who wants to take the time to become totally immersed in a wonderful story.Movie Review: Brilliant
Summary: 5 Stars
The Best of Youth is a brilliant, poignant and touching account of an Italian family and their trials throughout 3 decades. It's a masterful mini-series and I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in Italy because it goes well beyond what most peoples' preconceived notions of what the Italian people are like. The acting is superb, and every cast member gives a memorable, powerful performance. This story touches on some of the troubles that Italy faced in its past, most notably the terrorist troubles perpetuated by home-grown organization The Red Brigades, a surprisingly unknown group outside of Italy. I would also recommend to those interested in the Marxist-Leninist Red Brigades to watch Good Morning, Night, which portrays the kidnap-murder of Prime Minister Aldo Moro by the Brigades, and the book The Cyclops Hammer, a fictionalized account of the Red Brigades that is based on real events.