Baarìa

At times wonderful, at other times cheesier than Forrest Gump. I couldn't decide whether I loved, liked or hated it.

Like some kind of cross between Zhang Yimou's "To Live", the Godfather trilogy, and Tornatore's previous work, this is a film which feels epic and authentically Sicilian, although it is largely unable to decide whether it ought to be a family drama, political commentary, or an ode to the island and its traditions. Filled with metamorphosing actors and vignettes of Italian life which are entirely unrelated to the story, it can seem long and confusing. But it has beautiful and poetic elements too.

An epic story of Sicily (?). There was many good actors and moments, but somewhere half a way the director lost with the story and the rest was pretty non interesting running through. There was also a mixing of styles and the story did not find a proper red line. It was long and a bit chaotic. Nice camera work though.

Alternate title: 'Italy for dummies'.

It may be Silvio Berlusconi's favourite film of 2009, but its surprising he funded this considering the main character is a Communist. The film still suffers from a huge issue that, rushing through so much history, it never pulled me in, looking like a bland, brown coloured photograph of nostalgia rather than a trip in the director's life. The (more than likely) real footage in the end credits made me wish he made a documentary rather than such an expensive and bland tasting piece of candy.

Perhaps there are some elements of this movie that are touch messy or even underdeveloped, but in I enjoyed pretty much every second of this films two and a half hours. Achingly pretty, beautifully performed and scored, with several truly moving expertly judged scenes. "Baarìa" is a brilliant, sprawling epic.

Very beautiful movie, amazing scenery, nostalgic music of Ennio Morricone, but it lacked connection in between scenes. However, it left me with an overall happy sensation!

Tornatore sucks. i don't like him anymore.