Greetings again from the darkness. The writer/director gives us Fellini meets DeSica. Visuals abound in this bleak fishing community in southern Italy. The plight of the citizens is such that they just get through one day at a time. The restlessness of the kids played against the surrender of adults is painful. The stunning Valeria Golina steals the picture - and should have been even more of the story. In the U.S., we are mostly deprived of Ms. Golina ("Rain Man", "Hot Shots" "Frida"), but it is always a wonderful treat to watch her on screen. Her youngest son, Filippo is excellent and provides a glimpse into the frustration, dominance and possessiveness that is stereotypical of the Italian man. Her oldest son Pasquale shows a sensitive side and the angst that goes with it in his society. Many disturbing parts of the story, but I do feel this could have been an even more insightful film if it concentrated on the spirit of Golina's character.
Review of Respiro
