Zuppa di pesce

Fiorella Infascelli's film was to me, somewhat of a revelation. Famous French Film Review "Les Cahiers du Cinema" voted it one of Europe's best films in its 1995 'Special Report', singling it out as Italy's only 'pleasant surprise' that year. And that's exactly what it is. Set in the sensual Ansedonia coast north of Rome, this bittersweet family drama takes a freshly feminine view of adolescence. The always great Philippe Noiret seems to sport a thick layer of pancake make-up throughout, and maybe miss Caselli cries a touch too freely, but the film is a pleasure to watch and captures the care-free years of Italy's 'boom' in the early 1960ies with disarming ease. Situations slip from drama to farce under Infascelli's graceful direction. All tha actors are convincing as the messed up members of this 'film biz' family all'Italiana. And when the actual 'Zuppa di Pesce' reaches the table we can really smell the aroma. Very Italian but with a touch of french intellect about it. Nearer Truffaut than Goddard!