Written again by Elena Ferrante, Saverio Costanzo, Laura Paulucci and Franceso Piccolo, based on the third in Ferrante's quartet.
Understandably, Lenu's finding it hard to fit in back in Napoli - people treat her education as something suspicious, that she's now too good for them.
Lila's having a hard time at the meat factory, which the Communists have seized upon as Cause about worker oppression - she has a breakdown.
Then Lenu's married life in Firenze starts off badly - she says she cooks for him, cleans his clothes, raises their child, she can't write - he's just like any other man (Matteo Cecchi). When she finally gets her second novel done, nobody likes it - even Lila. Some of the writing here is good - the voiceover bits sounds like they're straight from the book - highly likely. Good music too by Max Richter (Taboo).
Have to mention Annarita Vitolo as Lenu's mum.
There follows two long key scenes in Italy's troubled seventies. One is where childhood friend Pasquale and Nino's ex Nadia come to visit Lenu in Firenze. They're so fucking rude, and have clearly gone to some Communist / activist dark side (I think he's become one of those hooded killers in Napoli). It's very unsettling. The other is Lenu and Pietro's visit to Napoli, and a majorly uncomfortable lunch with family and the Solaras. Lila's working for Michele - we hope Lila's going to turn the tables on Michele somehow.
But we don't know.. the ending is that Lenu finally gets it together with Nino (who's just great with the girls), and in a shock ending, the Solara matriarch is murdered, and everyone's in a tither.
Direttore della fotografia: Ivan Casalgrandi. Editori: Francesca Calvelli, Annalisa Forgione. Scenografo: Giancarlo Basili. Luchetti also directed Mi Fratello e unico figlio.
No comments:
Post a Comment