Dillo con parole mie

Thousands of backpackers descend upon Greece in the summer. This time it was an Aunt (Stefania Montorsi) and her niece (Martina Merlino) that joined them. Stefania was getting over the breakup of an eight-year relationship with Andrea (Giampaolo Morelli), and Megghy (Merlino) was looking to lose her virginity.

It was a very light romantic chick-flick that took place on Ios. It had a great soundtrack from Boy George to Mozart, from The Village People to Debussy.

Ultimately, it was a light salad; just enough humor to keep you interested, but little else.

I did like Montorsi and would like to see more of her in the future.

In this almost-consistently funny Italian comedy, a 14-going-on25 teen (think a more naive 1st season Meadow Soprano without the smirk and an additional 20 lbs.) ditches her Girl Scout troop to bond with her 30 yr "old" aunt, who is still obsessing full-time about the breakup of her 8yr romance. Teen cons aunt into going to Cycladies, Greece (the party capital of the Mediterranean, from the looks of things). Identity mix-ups, almost-sexual escapades abound, but will true love work out in the end? And would a bollywood dance number be appropriate?

We get a little too much of the sex-obsessed teen, and a little too little of the gorgeous "old maid", but the movie pulls you along in its quest.

The world needs to see more of Stefania Montorsi, a delightful screen presence.

This is not a brilliant film -- we can't really care about these characters enough to enjoy their pensive montages -- but it is refreshingly blunt.

15-year-old Martina (who never made another feature, and soon turned to costuming) is often irritating, but in exactly the way a 15-year-old Italian girl should be: bossy, demanding, frustrated, and not yet sure how to marshal her own energies. Stefania (who co-wrote this) is 15 years older and too much in control -- oblivious that she stifles herself. Throw these two onto a sunny Greek isle full of vacationing teenagers, mix in a little Comedy of Errors, a little Cyrano, a little Odd Couple ... there is no real resolution, but a lot of truth. They argue, they agree, they both come of age in different ways.

This is a typical Italian coming of age move that is set on the gorgeous Greek island of Ios. A well put together Italian movie about an aunt who brings her adolescent niece along for a "singles" girls trip to an erotic Greek island. Girl meets boy and so on... we all know where this is going. Overall a subtle, nicely executed movie with a cute message and a great ending. Well worth watching. A real 9/10 Italian movie that was made abroad. Nicely done folks. The island of Ios truely shines in this movie. With it's pristine beaches and perfect Cycladic settings Ios truly shines in this adaptation. If you are in the Greek islands Ios island is well worth the day-trip from Santorini; if not only for the beaches and the excellent main square nightlife. Enjoy.

It's hard to understand how this movie can be considered so lowly when thousands of computer-copied comedies every year get lot of consideration and even accolades. Mh. Maybe it's the pace, or the language (for non-Italian speakers), or the lack of big stars, but it still stings me.

This movie has a great story (for a comedy), brilliantly directed by Luchetti, and perfectly played by the 3 main characters.

I don't know what's the big deal with Megghy's whines. Maybe they sound odd for non-Italian speakers, but they are wonderfully over the line if you can get the spirit (and the words). I think the producers wanted this movie to be internationally sellable, but from this perspective, and by reading the comments, I think they failed: this is a little undiscovered gem but not to be sold in the English speaking market, as it appears to go misunderstood. Best example of this is the final scene: Maybe Luchetti himself mentioned this supposed Bollywood tribute, but unless they changed the song in the international version of the movie, I fail to see how the GLORIOUS voice of "the siren" Mina can be in any way related to Bollywood musical skits and bits.

The ending, the song, and the whole film, is a 100% Italian product. I am not a proud Italian at all, and I don't especially love Italian cinema (not the one produced in the last 25 years). This is just a fact: music, characters, acting.. all too Italian to be completely appreciated just reading some subtitles.

Bottom line: I loved it!