Licht auf der Piazza

While vacationing in beautiful Italy, Olivia de Havilland (as Meg Johnson) watches lovely daughter Yvette Mimieux (as Clara) and handsome Italian George Hamilton (as Fabrizio Naccarelli) fall hopelessly in love. Although the two seem perfect for each other, Ms. Mimieux suffers from a secret disability. Aching for her daughter to lead a normal life, Ms. de Havilland is unable to tell Mr. Hamilton or father Rossano Brazzi about Mimieux' condition. Father of the potential bride Barry Sullivan (as Noel Johnson) is against the wedding...

You've got to stop wondering why nobody but her parents seem to notice or care about Mimieux' delicate condition, especially Hamilton; and, moreover, since it's not a problem, how it could matter. Director Guy Green and cinematographer Otto Heller give "Light in the Piazza" some beautiful scenery. Hamilton and Mimieux are an incredibly good-looking couple. And, de Havilland is marvelous to watch, filling her conflicted wife and mother character with enough to have warranted some "Best Actress" consideration.

******* Light in the Piazza (2/7/62) Guy Green ~ Olivia de Havilland, Yvette Mimieux, George Hamilton, Rossano Brazzi

Olivia de Havilland is a worried mother travelling through scenic Italian locations with daughter Yvette Mimieux, who is mentally retarded. When a young Italian starts courting her daughter and showing up in the most unlikely places, de Havilland's predicament becomes apparent. Should she tell the truth or let her daughter marry the rather simple-minded Italian boy? The situation was better described in the novella by Elizabeth Spencer, but the Epstein brothers have given the screenplay some grace and humor--and de Havilland is superb as the doting mother. Rosanno Brazzi adds his brand of charm to the boy's father and there is a light touch of romance between him and de Havilland. George Hamilton is surprisingly convincing as the smitten Italian youth, Yvette Mimieux does well enough as the girl and Barry Sullivan does what he can with the thankless role of her stubborn father who would rather see her placed in an institution. All of it is nicely photographed in Italian locales and in wide-screen technicolor (see the letterbox version if you can). This unappreciated film is a minor gem--poignant, touching and humorous.

I watched this one "by accident" (by discovery) and was very moved by the film. The wonderful performances by Olivia and Rossano definitely elevate it, and the youngsters were sympathetic. I was, frankly, surprised by Hamilton's controlled and sensitive performance as Fabrizzio.

This movie deserves better treatment from the former reviewer. While definitely a travelogue and clearly a period piece, it still has something timeless to say about happiness and the human condition; that the inability to love and be loved may be the biggest disability of all.

MGM deserves credit for producing a magnificent film The Light In The Piazza starring a classic star Olivia De Havilland and featuring two of MGM's brightest contract stars George Hamilton and as the key player in the film Yvette Mimieux as a learning disabled Girl who for the first time is treated like an adult and is romanced by a handsome man who because of the language barriers does not realize her disabilities. A remarkable film beautifully filmed in Italy by the fine director Guy Green. Having seem this film I am going to review and study more of Mr. Green's films. Of course it goes without saying that Olivia De Havilland often nominated and winner of 2 Oscars gives a brilliant performance of Yvette Mimieux's mother. George Hamilton is fine as the Lothario.

A courageous film and a credit to the MGM Studio

... with Olivia de Havilland as the mother of a "simple" girl who was brain-injured as a child. As played by Yvette Mimieux, she naturally attracts the attention of a young Italian (George Hamilton), much to the alarm of the mother who still treats the girl like a 10-year-old. You have to wonder what the real purpose of the trip to Italy was. Rich and aimless, De Havilland seems quite happy just lingering in Florence, with no plans or agenda. There's a husband back in the US (Barry Sullivan) and Hamilton has an opportunistic father (Rossano Brazzi), who seems to like the idea of a dowry.

I never read the novella so I have no idea how this was all originally portrayed. Once De Havilland settles on the idea that the daughter could be happily married into the Italian family, she sets out to ensure it happens. The only snags are that Sullivan wants the daughter placed in a home, and Brazzi balks when he finds out the daughter's real age.

It's a sweet-natured film with a sly sense of humor. This story was recently turned into a Broadway musical, oddly enough.