Latin Lover - Film Review Lavazza Italian Film Festival 2015

Post

Subscribe

Wed 02 Sep 2015 - Fri 16 Oct 2015

Latin Lover - Film Review (Lavazza Italian Film Festival 2015)


If the Media Screening of the 2015 Lavazza Italian Film Festival is anything to go by, then I feel confident that this year's festival will go out with a bang.

The film screened at the event is the Italian comedy 'Latin Lover' from acclaimed writer/director Cristina Comencini. It tells the story of the life and many secrets of the ever enamoured fictional Italian star of Italy's Golden Era of film, Saverio Crispo (Francesco Scianna). A prolific ladies' man, Crispo seduced a number of woman throughout his career, earning him the nickname 'Latin Lover'. The film takes place in Saverio's birthplace Apuila, where the women in his life, including his two wives Ramona (Marisa Paredes) and Rita (Virna Lisi), reunite and attend a memorial service on the 10th anniversary of Saverio's death to celebrate his career. Joining them are five of Saverio's female offspring from different mothers and of different nationalities: Susanna (Angela Finnocchiaro), Segunda (Candela Peña), Stephanie (Valeria Bruni Tedeschi) Solveig (Pihla Viitala) and Shelley (Nadeah Miranda).

Much like any Italian comedy, hilarity and scandal ensues, as Crispo's five daughters learn more about their 'iconic' father than they bargained for. Alongside this, 'Latin Lover' is not short of delightful mini-dramas, with a number of characters serving to stir the pot. Local journalist Marco Serra (Claudio Gioe) will stop at nothing to find out all there is to know about Saverio's past and close friend and stuntman, Pedro (Lluis Homar), has a secret that Crispo's two wives prefer to be left forgotten. The comic intrigue doesn't end there either; the sleazy ways of Alfonso (Jordi Molla), the husband of Segunda threaten to damage the close bond of the sisters. Special mention goes to the marvelous performance of Tedeschi, who plays the neurotic French daughter whose underlying spite about her relationship with her father is a constant sore point within the family.

While the film is essentially a comedy of errors (a cringe-y yet delicious one at that), the climax, being the memorial service, provides some catharsis for Saverio's wives and daughters, and in turn, for the viewers. Composed of film clips and newsreels taken throughout his film career, the memorial is a moving salute to Saverio. His shenanigans, loveable character and heart-throb status make it hard not to despise him; rather, the viewer sees him through the admiring eyes of the women who adored him.'Latin Lover' is a light-hearted and fun film which also leaves you with a tinge of nostalgia for the heyday of Italian cinema. It's sure to be a highlight of the upcoming Italian film festival.

The Lavazza Italian Film Festival run from 24th September to 14 October. For more information about filming times, ticket prices and special events, see: www.italianfilmfestival.com.au

#cinema
#festivals
#film_festivals
#film_reviews
#fremantle
#northbridge
#perth_city
#september
#october
!date 02/09/2015 -- 16/10/2015
%wnperth