Denis Rabaglia Movies
- 2008
As directed and co-written by Denis Rabaglia, this deeply whimsical coming-of-age tale unfurls in Italy, circa 1956, on the picturesque island of Amatrello. In this locale, a most unusual custom has emerged - one where each father determines his daughter's premier romantic liaison by soliciting elaborate presents from local suitors and picking the most impressive one. A local boy named Marcello scoffs at this notion until he lays eyes on Elena, bewitching daughter of the mayor of Amatrello - and realizes that his only chance of winning her heart lies in offering the Mayor the most impressive gift imaginable - a neighbor's pet rooster that will wake the Mayor, regularly, every morning. Unfortunately, to lay claim to this prized bird, Marcello must barter with nearly everyone in the village, and it seems that each resident has a different request. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Francesco Mistichelli, Elena Cucci, (more)
- 2008
The path to true love becomes a hard road to travel for one teenager in this comedy from Italy. Marcello (Francesco Mistichelli) is a young man growing up in a small town on the coast of Italy. Like many folks in the village, Marcello is bemused by a long-standing local custom: a girl cannot date until she turns eighteen, and her first suitor is picked by her father, who chooses among her prospective beaus by favoring the gentleman who has presented him with the most impressive gift. Marcello can't imagine that any woman is worth that much trouble until he meets beautiful Elena (Elena Cucci). Marcello is eager to win the right to date her, but Elena's father is the town's mayor, while he's the son of a humble fisherman and can't afford anything flashy. Marcello comes up with a brainstorm for the perfect gift, but it turns out he'll have to barter for it, and as he tries to arrange the trade, he finds himself having to commit to a growing list of favors before he'll be able to present the gift that will win him the hand of the girl he loves. Marcello, Marcello was adapted from the novel Marcello's Date by Mark David Hatwood; Hatwood also wrote the film's screenplay. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Giuseppe (Paolo Villaggio) takes his blind seven-year-old granddaughter Carla (Francesca Pipoli) from Puglia to his native Geneva. Giuseppe wants to call in an old debt in order to pay for an eye operation for the girl, and the man he needs to find in order to do so is Gaston (Jean-Luc Bideau), with whom he worked for three decades. However, when Giuseppe arrives in Geneva he finds Gaston residing in a sanitarium and his once-profitable company in economic shambles. As Giuseppe becomes reacquainted with his old friend, various revelations surface about his background and his relationship with Gaston's wife (Marie-Christine Barrault). ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marie-Christine Barrault
- 1994
This smart, upbeat French comedy explores the differing attitudes surround children. Martin, a 35-year old advertising executive, is busily working upon ad campaigns for the Floppy dog-food company. It was his ex-wife's idea that he work for them. When the family au pair, 23-year old Sally tells Martin she is pregnant with his child as a result of their one-night stand, Martin seeks the counsel of his friends and family. Compounding the matter is the fact that Sally, who wants the baby, simple considers Martin to be a donor. Martin's militantly left-wing mother wants Sally to get an abortion because she believes it immoral to bring another European into the world. Julien, Martin's best friend, is an equally militant pro-lifer and will end the friendship if he allows Sally to abort. His barren ex-wife subversively influences Sally into keeping the baby. Meanwhile, Martin becomes friends with a pregnant teen who unexpectedly gives birth. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Novembre, Sabine Haudepin, (more)
