The Invisible Thread (2022) User Reviews

Entertaining & Emotional

[christof4 · 8/10 · 5 March 2022]

Very good film about family. Strong characters, acted well. Some great comedic moments. Made me laugh, made me cry and made me think.

Positive, uplifting and honest.

Bit over-dramatic in parts but overall this is a solid 8/10.

I watched this in the original Italian language.

Good choice to watch with teenage kids.

Same same but different

[kosmasp · 8/10 · 9 March 2022]

How can you make a dramatic movie that is also super funny? A movie that is light but also carries some heavy message and social awareness in it? Well this movie gives this a go or a try ... and it mostly succeeds in my book.

Yes it is rough around the edges, but that does not make it bad - you have to suspend your disbelief in certain areas and just let yourself go ... and be led by the really good actors and a good script that gives them things to do. Not all things are easy to solve - and life can be more than challenging. Especially when it is filled with prejudices and people who are stuck with certain ideas ... not able to understand ... or willing to learn.

Now clash those things with marital problems and coming of age issues ... you could say that the movie packed a bit ... too much, but on the other hand it is really good in balancing those things out and giving the characters room to breathe ... and us entertainment ... that aims for the heart - well mainly. Don't be ashamed if you shed a tear or two.

A Pleasant Surprise!

[johnfc-18-684850 · 8/10 · 9 April 2022]

Just a fun easy movie to watch. A great story told very heartfelt. The editing from the story flow to the background music very put together. And I thought the acting was really good by each character. Especially the leads. So don't over think it or analyze it. Just watch a nice little family drama.

Imperfect, but human and therefore likable

[Julesbro77 · 18 March 2022]

I totally disagree with whoever wrote that this movie does not serve gay couples. Thousands of heterosexual and homosexual people have written about how they identified with this film. The protagonists with all their flaws and mistakes are as human and imperfect as everyone else. The comment seems really obtuse to me because whoever wrote it did not understand that the meaning of the film is to celebrate the right to exist of this type of families starting from their failure. You don't have to be perfect to be accepted! And yes, many of the filmmakers in this movie are openly gay and lgbt + rights activists.

A traditional story for every modern families

[pasaribuharisfadli · 7/10 · 30 May 2022]

The Invisible Thread is a nice little treat for those who love sweet familial stories. The film actually offers nothing new. All is been done before. However, the tweak on the details gave a fresh breath of air to the tired formula, hence it's still fun to watch. Practically harmless and heartwarming.

Italian film with LGBTQIA+ theme

[lso-soares · 6/10 · 24 April 2022]

Directed by Marco Simon Puccioni, with Filippo Timi (Paolo), Francesco Scianna (Simone) and Francesco Gheghi (Leone).

Italian film with LGBTQIA+ theme that escapes from recent plots for cinema/streaming of the same genre by showing a gay couple, Paolo and Simone, on the eve of completing 20 years together, having a child born from an artificial insemination with surrogacy offered by a friend of Paulo. Leone, the teenage son, has to do a school project showing everyday life, using as a basis what the youth publish on social networks. At school, he meets Giulia, a French girl just living in Rome, falling in love immediately. Her idea, along with Jacopo, her best friend, is to tell her family's happy story in the video to be presented as a school project. It turns out that things are not as they seem to be and there will be a series of twists until the conclusion of the story, with DNA testing, betrayal, secrets revealed, parties, drugs, nature and consolidation of friendships. In the end, it shows that every couple, straight or homo, lives the same situations within a relationship.

Unpretentious film, with an interesting script, precisely because it doesn't fall into the most common clichés of LGBTQIA+ films, being a cute romantic comedy, just that. It's to relax, enjoy without thinking too much.

OK and cute, but over acted

[OJT · 6/10 · 7 March 2022]

Young Francesco Gheghi saves this, as he is talented and good, and not over acting like grown ups. This movie would have been better if it had dropped the comic parts.

Plot is good, and the film has a bit of charm, but it's full of what we can say is all fashioned humor.

It doesn't suit an Italian film being Hollywood-funny.

It's OK entertainment, but could have been s much better with a tighter script.

Worth watching.

[williaminalennie · 10/10 · 4 March 2022]

I was pleasantly surprised at how engaging this story was, the characters were beautifully acted by the cast.

Reading subtitles wasn't difficult and I highly recommend viewing this film.

Enjoy!!! 😃

Try It, You'll Like It! !

[davidrsutton · 7/10 · 2 December 2023]

I began watching this and was sure that I was watching an actual student documentary. The opening credits read school something and the first scenes were that what you'd expect a school boys video would look like.

The director Marco Simone Puccioni was well versed in the subject matter and documentary making. (See trivia for more details)

Then we are introduced to Leone and his project partner Jacobo. The two are best friends and have chosen the Leone's circumstance of two fathers as their thesis.

Explained quickly and throughly Paola and Simone are lovers and after living together they decide they'd like a child. Italian law does permit two men to be a couple and therefore adoption is not available. But, as fate steps in with Paola former classmate Tilly (Jodhi May) willing to be the carrier. The sperm of both men are mixed, shaken and stirred into a cocktail.

Nine months later, "It's a Boy!" and the world welcomes Leone into the world and Paola and Simone welcome him into their lives. Tilly is known as the carrier, not the mother. In Italian "Dede" The story continues. Everybody in school thinks the boy with two fathers is gay. No big deal, except he's not. Why should he be gay, because his parents are?

Francesco Gheghi is realistic in his portrayal of Leone.

Very likable and easy to root for. He has a bright future ahead. "Il Filo Invisibile" its original Italian title is a quick paced One Hour forty-nine minutes.

It's a fun watch. Maybe an excellent rewatch, while making dinner or reading. The scenes are enjoyable and you don't need a great amount of processing power, giving my brain a needed breather. I think on additional viewings they'll be layers I missed.

An Alka Seltzer TV commercial in the early 70s had the classic line, "Try it. You'll Like It." I'd say that is apropos here.

(even more so, the protagonist in the TV commercial got a tummy ache. I assure you that won't be the case watching this)

Great actors, cute entertaining movie

[fabjoss · 10/10 · 12 March 2022]

Loved this movie! And I just had to leave this review after someone wrote that the actors were bad LMAO what did you watch? Please stop watching movies they're not for you.

Sweet but not cloying

[qui_j · 6/10 · 6 March 2022]

This is a sweet and entertaining movie that's all about family, not necessarily DNA. It's well acted and very believable in today's modern world of blended and extended family structures.

Laugh, cry and think!

[DavideGolia99 · 10/10 · 26 February 2022]

A film about a specific family, but also about all families.

First the amazing actors and their characters: Francesco Scianna is Simone, measured, authentic, exciting. Filippo Timi ( I loved him in Vincere) is Paolo, histrionic but credible and funny. Francesco Gheghi is Leone their young son and faces all the insults of fate with moving dignity, energy and passion.

All the other actors are well directed and give intense performances that matches that lead roles, but international star Jodhi May has a pivotal role as Leone' "dede" (surrogate mom) and her scenes are the peak of the emotional wave I've received watching this film.

Marco Simon Puccioni is a director mostly known for his serious committed social dramas, but here embraces a mix of comedy and drama with grace and fun to shake prejudices more effectively than his previous films.

Remarkably Valeria Golino is in this film in the unusual producer's role.

I can predict a remake in other languages of a script that works with great balance between comedy and drama and is full of surprises.

Finally, an Italian Netflix Original that I really like!

Keeps you guessing

[Void-Horizon · 7/10 · 1 April 2024]

I like how this one keeps you guessing until the very end. It had me wondering the same question as everybody else. I won't spoil the ending, but It's sort of an eye-opener.

I like how it addresses prejudices and forces you to confront your own bias. For that, it's masterful. It presents a personal journey of a youth. We get to tag along, and watch as things unfold.

It covers something so controversial, and yet it avoids feeling heavy, or preachy. It does make its point, in the end, but forces you to confront your own ideas, first. That's really ingenious.

Love it or hate it, you can't deny that it succeeds at making you think this through, and own up to your personal feelings.

The only thing I'll fault it on is how it presents gay characters in a negative light. It seems typical of Italian gay cinema to stray into this negative territory, and I don't like it.

Sure, nobody has to be perfect to be accepted. However, what I want isn't mere "acceptance". Why can't gays be presented in a favorable light? They don't have to be saints, but why are they always portrayed as such terrible sinners?

You have to admit Italy has historically never had a favorable idea about human relationships, in general. Especially, their treatment of women. They are surpassed only by the middle east. It's a shame they can't grow out of this nonsense.

Bad actors

[wissia · 5/10 · 9 March 2022]

Enjoyable and relatable plot line.

The young actors are pretty good, especially the lead.

Some of the "older" cast should consider another profession. Especially the woman friend. Just awful.

And one note on climbing: that's really not the way you do it. It's so wrong I can't think of an equivalent.

Funny and poignant

[alan-eisen · 9/10 · 25 March 2022]

This was a very pleasant surprise. It's a nice change to have a film with gay characters that isn't about coming out. It's a serious film with a tremendous amount of comedy - bordering on farce. But has something to say. The acting is very well done. Just a very enjoying movie to watch.

Captures the essence of family complicated by laws

[gljtrelago · 9/10 · 8 April 2022]

The good bad and indifferent occurs in any family regardless of sexual orientation and this movie captures the different feelings and emotions tied to love, regret, shame, hurt and happiness quite well. The story is influenced by a country's repressive laws against homosexuals.

A must see. Fun and profound, a rare combination!

[ACA13 · 10/10 · 30 March 2022]

What a great surprise!

The young lead is extremely talented, I hope to see him in more movies.

All acted well.

A very plausible story and I laughed a lot.

Great Italian film.

Highly recommended!

Wonderful Family Drama

[themouthoftruth · 17 April 2023]

I highly recommend this movie. In this film there is love, friendship, affection, redemption... Quarrels, confusion, screams...

This film shows us that all kinds of families can have problems, in such a natural and heartwarming way. You follow these characters' lives as if you were a part of them, and you find yourself writhing and getting too involved. I loved them ALL. I was extremely passionate and moved by the affection they have in their relationships. Parents, friends; I'm shaking with emotion, really. I don't even know how to put into words what I'm feeling right now. I wanted to see this film again, as if it were the first time.

Maybe it's not a movie that everyone will enjoy because some will object to surrogacy or same sex family, but I don't care for prejudices and its characters won my heart more and more, every minute. Actually I would love to know more of every characters, I wish they will develop it into a series to dig in each one of them.

Great script, excellent direction, natural photography. The development of the whole story is perfect and REAL! Captivating, beautiful and very talented actors. Thank you Netflix for this. I will appreciate more and more Italian filmworks, after seeing how brilliant this movie is!

I want to scream with so much emotion with this movie! I don't think I will soon forget this movie.

Not what I'd hoped

[jaroslaw99 · 5/10 · 5 April 2022]

This is the story of a teen guy with two fathers conceived by in vitro fertilization. He makes a film for a school project about his atypical but happy family. Along the way, the story is focused a lot on very typical teen stuff - buddies, parties and his budding romance. Meanwhile there is problems in paradise between the two dads. One is having an affair which is uncovered by the lover showing up at the 20th anniversary of the two dads.

I found this and several other things to be unrealistic. One of the dads owned a restaurant. He couldn't be called there? In the teen character's romance, the girl he was attracted to set him up with her closeted brother. It was so obvious that teen was attracted to her. I realize the main story was not about the two dads breaking up but the film spent a lot of time on mundane things. The cheating dad didn't apologize at all, which one would expect after 20 years of marriage.

Also unrealistically the teen blows off the cheating dads offer of lunch but later imparts wisdom to the other dad that "it's never just one person's fault." And while we're at it, for the teen to be brought up with unconditional and intense love up to the moment of the break up, he didn't seem to react as upset as he almost certainly would have been.

As others have said, at least it is not a movie about coming out. The acting was very good overall but I didn't see anything comedic in here. I didn't find either dad believable as Gay. There were a number of unexpected twists to keep the story interesting. To me, I wish the dad's had fought about something else and reconciled. There are enough Gay movies with sad endings. But while enjoyable, this is not a movie I would watch again.

Entertaining and though provoking

[moggie48-380-319572 · 8/10 · 31 March 2022]

The reviewers who were so critical of this movie must not watch many films. The male leads were good, especially the teen son. The dads, played by veteran Italian actors, were clearly directed to move into the farcical and did so with comedic chops. They deftly shifted back into the main plot theme. This was a fun and interesting film.

Loved this movie

[ariel_tecpatl · 10/10 · 11 June 2022]

It just became one of my favorite movies. It tells the problematic of divorce on the perspective of a gay family. Interest point of view and very sincere. Excellent acting.

Not to be missed!

[pericoverstreet · 10/10 · 26 March 2023]

The deep dive into the dynamics of the family is heartwarming, realistic, and painful all at once. Even though Leone has a non-traditional family he faces the same issues as any other family, becoming independent, and the heartbreak of shattered expectations.

Francesco Gheghi as Leone is both fresh and talented bringing gravitas to a nuanced role. Filippo Timi and Francesco Scanna as Paolo and Simone - Leones parents, where both intense and funny in all the right places.

I was pleasantly surprised that the film dealt with the bias and confusion that can face the child of gay parents through the characters of Anna and Dario.

This film hits all the right beats. It's laugh out loud funny one moment and jerks a tear in the next.. Kudos to Marco Puccioni for find the perfect cast and directing them masterfully.

Absolute disservice to gay men anywhere

[ludwig-fun · 2/10 · 17 March 2022]

While the film centers around the teen kid and his struggles, the backdrop portrays his middle-aged gay parents whose relationship falls apart in the most immature and hysterical way. Gay male relationships and marriages are generally more stable than any relationship involving women (at least where I live), not surprisingly because gay men are much better at communicating their sexual and emotional needs. Others could take note of how well gay male relationships work and why and here comes this disgraceful piece of garbage portraying us as immature teenage girls thrashing and wailing. I feel none of the cast and crew could actually be gay and if they are, shame!

Two thumbs up!

[info-13780 · 10/10 · 21 July 2022]

The story is quite good and new, it's far from the usual and it's a look at how a relationship has to endure after 20 years. The war between the dads is a bit excessive, but not too much and adds to the comedy as well as the drama, the rest of story is quite realistic.

This a totally new gay movie, it addresses to both straight and lgbt audiences. A big plus are the strong lead actors - Filippo Timi, Francesco Scianna above all, but also the newcomer Francesco Gheghi, maybe not as experienced, but surely being well supported by the director, he is a rue heartbreaker.

At the end of the day it's a beautiful movie one could watch definitely more than once.

A Good combination of plots and themes

[keving-71039 · 10/10 · 8 April 2023]

Fun to watch, overall characters really have nice marked personalities. It really goes deep in very important things like family. The way everyone is presented as a perfect person but ends up giving a twist with the reality and the emotions everyone brings up on every scene makes it feel pleasant and very interesting. It goes deep right into anger, sadness, joy and fear. Personally, I would have love to see some resolutions to the other characters, but I'm more than proud they made this film. Very few films explore deep on this kind of themes without giving an incorrect message or getting completely lost. Highly reccomended.