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Respiro 2002 |
Review by Jonathan Cornwell |
Directed by Emanuele Crialese
PG-13, 95 min. (nudity, thematic elements) |
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Starring: Valeria Golino, Vincenzo Amato, Francesco Casisa, Veronica D'Agostino, Filippo Pucillo, Elio Germano
Producer: Domenico Procacci
Screenplay: Domenico Procacci
Cinematography: Fabio Zamarion
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Released: 5.23.03 (Limited)
In Italian with subtitles |
Rating:
  (out of ) |
Respiro sure has a happy-go-lucky attitude for a film that deals with an affliction like manic depression. Set on the Italian
island of Lampedusa, the film depicts the lives of people who work and play in the sun-drenched, rocky beaches and clear blue
water of the sea. Beautifully filmed by Fabio Zamarion and directed by Emanuele Crialese, Respiro indulges in the
carefree lives of young boys who spend their time harassing each other, chasing girls, and pretty much everything else
that boys their age get into trouble doing. Although a story is told here, Crialese and his screenwriter, Domenico Procacci,
seem more interested in the intoxicating surroundings that envelop the characters in a paradise-like home. The film is
interesting because its leisurely pace matches the lifestyle of the people it portrays.
The films centers on the family of Pietro (Vincenzo Amato), a fisherman who is married to the infamous Grazia (Valeria Golino),
a woman who is manic depressive and whose impromptu actions enrage the townsfolk. Her son, Pasquale (Francesco Casisa),
is her public relations officer so-to-speak, as he covers for her more inappropriate moments. When the family, which also
consists of another younger boy and a teenage girl, decides to send Grazia to Milan for special treatment for her affliction,
she runs away and, with the help of Pasquale, hides in a cliffside cave. Pasquale brings her food and clothes even as his
father and the locals search for her day and night. Presumed dead, Grazia must eventually come out of hiding, but when and
how is as random as the rest of the film seems to be.
Respiro, which won the Critics' Grand Prize at Cannes 2002, isn't a great film, but it excels in what it does right,
particularly in the relationship between Grazia and Pasquale. Pasquale seemingly never leaves her side, even though other
boyhood duties call to him, mostly from his younger brother and his part-time work as a fisherman's assistant. The strong ties
between mother and son are readily communicated here better than in almost any other film I've seen. This isn't a perverted
bond (which sad to say is a possibility in today's world), but a loving, trusting relationship that is shown in Pasquale's desire
to "build her a house on the sea." There even seems to be some resentment from Pietro, who is constantly providing Pasquale
with household errands in order to separate the two. In addition to this relationship, the film soaks itself in the warm sun,
sand, and seawater that dominate almost every frame of the picture. This is one energetic film, and Crialese allows his
characters to act so freely in their roles that's it's hard to envision their actions as part of the script. It results in a very
natural feel to the film, something that elevates Respiro above its pedestrian material.
The fine performances of the cast, both old and young, imbue the film with an authenticity that escapes many similar
location pictures. Golino stands out as the hyperactive woman, currently in an extended manic stage, that can't seem to
sit still for longer than it takes to have a quick nap. Casisa also delivers a nice effort as the son that remains intensely loyal
to her mother's every whim. While watching Respiro, I kept wondering if such a simple society exists, and if so, where
exactly this place is located. It sure seems like a great place to visit.
© 2003 Jonathan Cornwell
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 |
 | Masterpiece - Film perfection |
| Excellent - A Must See |
| Good - Highly Recommended |
| Fair - Worth seeing |
| Average - Viewable, but not recommended |
| Below average - View at own risk |
| Poor - Avoid at all costs |
| Very poor - An embarassment to the film industry |
| Zero | Awful - One of the worst films ever made |
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