Rita Cecchi Gori Movies

Dominated by a cast of newcomers, this comedy of errors from director Paolo Virzi aims for both laughter and poignance. Three factory workers who lose their jobs when their employer closes shop decide to join forces and open an ostrich ranch, in hopes that ostrich meat will find favor on Italian dinner tables. Elsewhere, Mario, a restaurateur, is suicidally depressed over the collapse of both his business and his marriage. Renato, leader of the ostrich ranchers, discovers his sister is romantically involved with a government councilor, also named Mario, who could approve state financing that would keep their business afloat. Renato dumps every penny he has into an elaborate party in hopes of impressing the councilor, but when he goes to the train station, he picks up the restaurant owner instead, who is so dazed by pills and exhaust fumes that he's not sure where he is. Italian television comic Massimo Gambacciani makes his film debut here, one of only two experienced actors in the cast. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Comedian Antonio Albanese directed this comedy about the strained relationship between three brothers -- and also played all three of the siblings himself. A funeral in Sicily reunites three brothers who have not seen each other in years -- Alex, an arrogant photographer; Salvatore, a businessman who has forsaken his Sicilian heritage and become a chauvinist of Northern Italy; and Pacifico, a teacher who is so mild-mannered his family didn't even remember he existed until he showed up for the memorial service. Albanese also co-wrote the screenplay for La Fame e la Sete with Vincenzo Cerami, who received notice for his script for Roberto Benigni's Life Is Beautiful. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Carlo Verdone directed this Italian comedy in which the refers to a capercaillie, a European grouse distinctive for its chest-puffing vanity. The story opens in an Arab country where Islamic fundamentalists condemn Armando Feroci (Verdone) to death, followed by a flashback to 17 years earlier when the womanizing Feroci tooled about in his red convertible, tossing out lewd lines to women -- but eventually going too far by accosting a veiled Arab woman from a Red Cross missionary jeep. In Feroci's life of many misadventures, he is seen as a real estate agent getting his future wife (Ines Nobili) to purchase a condemned property; as an Elvis Presley fan claiming to be Elvis' biological son; as a quiz-show contestant; as a politician; and as an irresponsible parent. Filmed in Rome and the Tunisian desert. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Daniele Luchetti directed this nostalgic Italian period drama adapted from Luigi Meneghello's novel about the WWII partisan movement. During the 20 months prior to Italy's liberation from fascism, a group of college students decide to trade hollow rhetoric for action by journeying into the mountains of Nazi-occupied northern Italy. Amid the turmoil, group leader Gigi (Stefano Accorsi) becomes attracted to his best friend's girl Simonetta (Stefania Montorsi). As the Resistance struggle continues, the students suffer pain and loss, some members of their group are killed, and the brutal reality of war leaves its mark on the idealistic students. Shown at the 1998 Venice Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Popular Italian comedian Leonardo Pieraccioni shfts gears to take on the traditions of the American Western in this family-focused drama. In Il Mio West, Pieraccioni plays Doc, a physician in a small town in the American West. Doc is a peaceful man opposed to hunting, ecological waste and eating meat; he heals the community's ills and lends a voice of reason when personal differences threaten to become violent. The community's peace is shattered when Doc's father, Johnny Lowen (Harvey Keitel) comes home, 20 years after he abandoned his family. As one might expect, Doc has issues with his father, and it doesn't help that Dad was a famous gunslinger whose presence attracts Jack Sikora (David Bowie), an vicious outlaw who has sworn to kill Johnny. Il Mio West was filmmed on location in the Tuscan mountains; in the original Italian language version, Keitel's voice was dubbed by Giancarlo Giannini. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

This Italian comedy focuses on a hapless half-dozen actors once exploited by their friend Alessio (Alessandro Benvenuti) who used their experiences in his hit play, My Dearest Friends. However, since they weren't cast in the production, they didn't share in the play's success, and friendship quickly turned to hate. Now, 15 years later, the impoverished six arrive at a medieval castle where they've been invited by Alessio, who explains that he would like to make amends with a new performance in which they will portray themselves. As rehearsals get underway, so do various plans for revenge. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

For this Italian drama recalling Robert Altman's Streamers (1983), writer-director Angela Longoni and co-scripter Massimo Sgorbani adapted their own play, with the cast of stage production repeating their roles. Five young soldiers, doing compulsory one-year service, find themselves spending Sunday in the barracks because the bathroom was destroyed by vandals while they were on duty. Among the five is a sadistic bully who outranks the others -- an upstanding Sicilian, a sensitive gay, a guy with plans for a marriage and children, and a paranoid who pops pills during an identity crisis. As the day wears on, tensions develop within the group. Paolo Vivaldi provides the background guitar music. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

In this bittersweet coming-of-age comedy, seven-year-old Piero (Matteo Campus) lives in Livorno, a city along the coast of Tuscany, in a low-rent shantytown the locals call "Ovosodo" (which literally translates as "hard boiled eggs"). Piero is forced to grow up at an early age after the death of his mother, leaving his father to raise him and his mentally challenged brother on his own. As Piero turns 13 (now played by Malcolm Lunghi), his dad -- a second rate criminal with no gift for staying out of jail -- complicates matters by bringing his new (and pregnant) girlfriend Mara (Monica Brachini) to live with the family. Despite his difficult childhood, Piero is a bright boy, and he is encouraged to pursue greater educational opportunities by Giovanna (Nicoletta Braschi), a widow who teaches at his school. Piero gains a friend at his new school, Tommaso (Marco Cocci), a rich but troubled boy, and a few years, later the 18-year-old Piero (Edoardo Gabbriellini) finds love with a girl named Lisa, though sadly it's not destined to last. Ovosodo won the Special Jury Prize at the 1997 Venice Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

This period swashbuckler, set during the years 1699 to 1716, is the seventh screen adaptation of Paul Feval's 1857 serialized novel. Trained in circus stunts and fencing, Lagardere (Daniel Auteuil) becomes the bodyguard of the Duke of Nevers (Vincent Perez), whose cousin is the greedy Gonzague (Luchini). Nevers learns he is a father and plans to marry Blanche de Caylus (Claire Nebout) in order to raise an heir. Gonzague dispatches assassins to kill Nevers, Blanche, and their baby. Dying, Nevers turns the child over to Lagardere, asking him to gain revenge on his killers. The infant is a girl, and Lagardere and the child hide amidst an Italian troupe of actors. Years pass, and the young Aurore (Marie Gillain) grows up believing Lagardere is her father. When the actors arrive in Paris 16 years after Nevers death, Lagardere at last sets the stage for revenge. Swordfight choreography by Michel Carliez, son of the fight expert who trained Jean Marais for the 1959 film of Le Bossu. Shown at the 1997 Acapulco French Film Festival and the 1997 Bastia Festival of Mediterranean Cinema. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Based on an acclaimed, popular historical novel by Dacia Maraini, this 18th-century set costumer follows the adventures of a deaf-mute noblewoman who strives to escape her dark past and the social conventions that force her to remain married to a man she detests. The story begins when the already speechless title duchess is 12 years old. In hopes of shocking her back into speaking, her grandfather takes her to a hanging. The causes of Marianna's affliction are revealed slowly as the story progresses, but the whole truth is not revealed until the end. Though she is much loved by her family, they still force her to marry her ancient uncle when she is only 13. Her wedding night is horrific as is the birth of her first daughter. Her husband is desperate for an heir so she is forced to endure his unwanted attentions until she is finally able to bear him a son. Despite her oppressive life, Marianna is able to find freedom in subtle ways. She also has time to save a peasant girl from a terrible situation. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Former cabaret performer Leonardo Pieraccioni (The Cyclone) directed, co-scripted (with Giovanni Veronesi), and stars in this popular Italian film, given the widest opening release in Italian film history. Ottone (Pieraccioni) and beautiful Lorenza (Claudia Gerini) are pet-store partners. He loses his lover to a butcher and moves in with his friend Barbara (Barbara Enrichi). At the same time, he courts secretly married Argentine heiress Luna (Vanessa Lorenzo), who is simply toying with the unsuspecting Ottone. Ottone's pal Germano (Massimo Ceccherini), once struck by lightning, survived because of his rubber Spiderman boots. Germano and Ottone both yearn for true love, but problems always arise. In the Maldives, Ottone seeks out a psychoanalyst (Luigi Petrucci) in hopes of gaining some understanding of his confused relationships with the opposite sex. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Usury is a serious problem in mid-'90s Italy, a country torn by the realities of a long-term economic recession and the people's desires for material prosperity. Unforutnately, with the closure of many Italian banks and the lack of available credit, these things are hard to come by legally, so many, especially businessmen, turn to loan sharks. According to surveys, over %65 of the nation's businesses have involvement with violent loan sharks who like their seafaring cousins will patiently circle the rickety financial lifeboats of their prey until the right moment and then rush in for the kill. This allegorical crime drama from Italian filmmaker Ricky Tognazzi chronicles the complex psychological relationship between one such loan shark and his prey, an old friend from college. Francesco (the intended victim) runs a failing construction company owned by his dying father-in-law who went deeply in debt trying to keep the firm afloat. Outwardly, Sergio is an upstanding financial advisor who knew Francesco a decade before when they were both wild college boys. Sergio learns of Francesco's plight via a helpful banker and as soon as the father-in-law dies sends Claudio (his thug) to visit the bereaved family. Saying he represents the wealthy Signora Sauro (Sergio's secret lover and accomplice) Claudio offers to make a substantial loan to Francisco who accepts. Soon Sergio is back in Francesco's life. He has set his sights on his old friend's beautiful wife Miriam and becomes obsessed with bedding her. At the same time Claudio, whom Francesco doesn't realize is in cahoots with Sergio, begins threatening him for the money. Fortunately Sergio is there to 'save' Francesco from what he doesn't realize is the inevitable destruction of his business. At least that was Sergio's plan. Unfortunately, as ruthless and shrewd as he is, he does not count on the inconsistency of his accomplices. He also underestimates his victims and that proves for him, a terrible mistake. The film is also known as Un Homme Honnete. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Unceremoniously dumped by her lover Roberto, bitter Marcella is determined to win him back at any cost. Such is the basis of this frothy Italian comedy. Roberto has since gone on a Tunisian vacation with his voluptuous new love Alessia. Meanwhile Marcella enacts an elaborate scheme to get him back. First she hires the devastatingly handsome, but dim rookie escort Francesco to accompany her to Tunisia. Neither Alessia and Francesco realize that Marcella and Roberto were once lovers and this creates even more problems. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi