Drama about a man (Colin Firth) who moves his two daughters to Italy after their mother dies in a car accident. The city of Genova has an impact on all three as the youngest daughter starts to see the ghost of her mother, while the older one discovers her sexuality.
The cast also includes the fantastic Catherine Keener (Where the Wild Things Are, Capote) and Hope Davis (American Splendor, Synecdoche, New York). Directed by Michael Winterbottom (A Mighty Heart, 24 Hour Party People).
I apologise, we feel bad, but there's no trailer available. ~Ed.
British director Michael Winterbottom (A Mighty Heart, 24 Hour Party People) is one of the more prolific filmmakers doing the rounds and his 2008 release, Genova, has finally hit our shores. There are glimpses of his undoubted talent on display in this story of a family overcoming grief, but this is less a hit than it is a miss.
The Italian setting is picturesque and gives the work an armchair-travel quality that keeps proceedings visually interesting, while the cast members (including Colin Firth and Hope Davis) turn in solid performances.
Unfortunately, the approach to capturing the overcoming of grief is staunchly observational, with key issues remaining unspoken, thus putting a cap on the drama. The neutral, naturalistic approach is also a mitigating factor in this, as it rejects a structured, strongly developed plot and instead results in slow pacing for what story there is.
All this adds up to a melodrama without enough drama. Winterbottom’s penchant for regular output may be the reason for this short-changing, as the film feels like a good concept that just needed more time in development.
By Andreas Heinemann, Flicks.co.nz
As solid as you’d look for from Winterbottom and this cast, but the touches of supernatural thriller in an otherwise rather conventional coming-to-terms-with-bereavement drama aren’t entirely convincing.
Bottom Line: Fine performances bolster this moody, poignant portrait of guilt and forgiveness
Style in search of story.
An ancient Italian city, a mourning parent, a ghostly, potentially threatening presence – don’t look now, but there appears to be a Roeg element at work in the latest effort from Michael Winterbottom.
While the story in itself doesn’t lack drama or emotion, its delivery certainly does.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 15th Apr 2010.
Release date: April 15th 2010.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
