Monday, September 11, 2006
THAT'S AMORE
Today's NYTimes Best 1176 Film was Norman Jewison's
with Cher, Olympia Dukakis, Vincent Gardenia, and Nicolas Cage before he got spoiled. He is 22 in this picture.
One might call this a family comedy or a comedy about love or a serious reflection on family and love that has a lot of light and wonderful moments.
I will go for the latter.
While the large Italian family we are spending 48 hours with is loaded for sitcom gags and over the top boffo, it never comes to that.
It is a gentle and deeply moving portrait of serious people who behave in unorthodox ways.
The detail of the production is beautifully done. It is interesting to see this one day after the luxe work of Merchant-Ivory. Jewison keeps it simple but nonetheless rich.
The film is so good that it has a second Ebert review.
It was our second viewing as well.
We all get a little moonstruck just watching it.
This is a must if you have not seen it; a high 5 out of Netflix5.
