Daniele Lucheti, the director of this surprising feature, does an amazing job in the way he developed the material he wrote in collaboration with Stefano Rulli and Sandro Petraglia. First, and foremost, is Mr. Luchetti's view that no matter what happens, a family comes together in good times and in bad ones.
The man at the center of the story, Claudio, a construction foreman, working on a housing complex, is ambitious. He is married and has two young boys. His wife Elena is expecting a baby so he wants to go on his own because he will stand to make a profit because of his experience. In order to fulfill his dream, he must borrow money. His next door neighbor, a paralyzed man with connections to shady characters proves to be the source he goes to secure a loan.
Claudio employs a lot of illegal workers from Eastern Europe, now making Italy their home. The savings with these men are good for what he wants to do, but he is at a disadvantage because the people he hires are not as skilled as his Italian counterparts. Prior to undertaking his venture, he makes the gruesome discovery of finding a dead man on an elevator shaft. The dead is from Rumania so his boss decides to bury him without going to the police.
To his surprise, Claudio is visited by Gabriela, the owner of a seaside cafe. She has brought Andrei, a young man, whose father was the man Claudio found in the shaft. He pretends to know nothing about the disappearance, but feels sorry for the youth, whom he offers a job in his new project. Elena, his wife, goes into labor. The difficult delivery ends up killing her. The question for Claudio is how is he going to cope in raising two boys and an infant.
To add to Claudio's problems, the building he has taken control in building runs into delays because of the unskilled people he employed. He finds out he is sadly behind with no prospect of finishing the housing development. Caludio's family rally around him in support. So when things got rough, they come to his help.
"La nostra vita" is a life affirming film with a positive message. Claudio realizes he has taken more than he should have, but his youth and enthusiasm meet whatever comes his way to face challenges and hurdles he encounters. Elio Germano does a terrific job for director Luchetti. This young actor clearly understood what Claudio was all about. Mr. Germano keeps impressing as he becomes one of the best actors of his generation. He is the whole picture and he deserves recognition for carrying the film on his shoulders, no small achievement. The supporting cast includes actors of the stature of Raoul Bova, an excellent performer, seen here as Piero.
We shall look forward Daniele Luchetti's future ventures in the cinema.
The man at the center of the story, Claudio, a construction foreman, working on a housing complex, is ambitious. He is married and has two young boys. His wife Elena is expecting a baby so he wants to go on his own because he will stand to make a profit because of his experience. In order to fulfill his dream, he must borrow money. His next door neighbor, a paralyzed man with connections to shady characters proves to be the source he goes to secure a loan.
Claudio employs a lot of illegal workers from Eastern Europe, now making Italy their home. The savings with these men are good for what he wants to do, but he is at a disadvantage because the people he hires are not as skilled as his Italian counterparts. Prior to undertaking his venture, he makes the gruesome discovery of finding a dead man on an elevator shaft. The dead is from Rumania so his boss decides to bury him without going to the police.
To his surprise, Claudio is visited by Gabriela, the owner of a seaside cafe. She has brought Andrei, a young man, whose father was the man Claudio found in the shaft. He pretends to know nothing about the disappearance, but feels sorry for the youth, whom he offers a job in his new project. Elena, his wife, goes into labor. The difficult delivery ends up killing her. The question for Claudio is how is he going to cope in raising two boys and an infant.
To add to Claudio's problems, the building he has taken control in building runs into delays because of the unskilled people he employed. He finds out he is sadly behind with no prospect of finishing the housing development. Caludio's family rally around him in support. So when things got rough, they come to his help.
"La nostra vita" is a life affirming film with a positive message. Claudio realizes he has taken more than he should have, but his youth and enthusiasm meet whatever comes his way to face challenges and hurdles he encounters. Elio Germano does a terrific job for director Luchetti. This young actor clearly understood what Claudio was all about. Mr. Germano keeps impressing as he becomes one of the best actors of his generation. He is the whole picture and he deserves recognition for carrying the film on his shoulders, no small achievement. The supporting cast includes actors of the stature of Raoul Bova, an excellent performer, seen here as Piero.
We shall look forward Daniele Luchetti's future ventures in the cinema.