Edoardo Gabbriellini Movies
- 2007
A moderately successful, thirtysomething rocker in dire need of a warm bed and a home-cooked meal returns to his family home in Rimini, only to be faced with a series of crises both large and small in this affectionate family comedy from director Gianni Zanasi. Stefano Nardini (Valerio Mastandrea) is a post-punk guitarist stuck in a strange career limbo; while he isn't exactly an unknown, he wouldn't be considered a household name by any means. When Stefano returns to his childhood home for a momentary reprieve from the rock & roll nightlife, his family welcomes him back with open arms. Unfortunately for Stefano, this retreat will be far from relaxing, since everyone under the roof seems locked into some sort of personal crisis. For starters, once-studious sister Michela (Anita Caprioli) has abandoned her education in favor of working with dolphins, and struggling mother Giuliana (Gisella Burinato) is taking self-help classes from a loopy guru who claims to hold the secrets to a happier life. On the more serious end of things, brother Alberto (Giuseppe Battiston) is locked into a bitter split with his ill-content wife -- a deeply personal woe that is only compounded by the fact that the family factory he runs has sunken deep into debt. When Alberto proves reluctant to divulge the sorry state of the family business to father Walter (Teco Celio), loyal siblings Stefano and Michela do their best to pitch in and set things right. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Valerio Mastandrea, Anita Caprioli, (more)
- 2003
Italian filmmaker Lucio Pellegrini directs the romantic comedy drama Now or Never, set against the backdrop of the 2001 anti-globalization protests in Genoa, Italy. David (Jacopo Bonvicini) is a college student who is secretly in love with political activist Viola (Violante Placido). In order to spend time with her, he joins up with the activist collective Mompracem. While he finds himself more devoted to the cause, he learns that Viola is dating the group's leader Luca (Edoardo Gabbriellini). Despite a short fling with fellow activist Vanna (Camilla Filippi), David finds himself more devoted to Viola, as well. He then runs into trouble with his old friend Doveri (Elio Germano), who doesn't appreciate what the group is doing. The conclusion finds him conflicted with an exam falling on the day of the big protest. Now or Never was shown in competition at the 2003 Locarno Film Festival. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jacopo Bonvicini, Violante Placido, (more)
- 1999
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, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Francesco Paolantoni, Massimo Gambacciani, (more)
- 1997
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, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edoardo Gabbriellini, Malcolm Lunghi, (more)
