giagal

I started watching this with no expectations at all, couldn't sleep and it was something light. But it hooked me from beginning to end. This movie is a small apologue about self-esteem, friendship and the causes of bullying. It is set in a very human and multiethnic Rome, where coexistence and respect have value. A sort of Karate Kid transplanted into Piazza Vittorio with affection, humor, and lightness. Acting is good and all characters are credible, even though a little sketchy. Crescentini's portrait of Asia, the mother, is intense and strong and Lillo's stereotypes are working, as usual, but, above all, the young hero's acting is really good.

I loved the dramedy tones of the whole series. A dystopian (but not so much) present day Sicily where a good magistrate goes from defender of legality to bad, very bad, guy just to seek his vengeance. The cast is fantastic, the music score is perfect, even action scenes are top notch. But, most of all, I really enjoyed the general mood, very far from the usual cliches of mafia related movies: light, tarantinesque, comedic that lets you forgive the blatant exaggerations of the plot and the numerous "poetic licenses". Spoken in Sicilian dialect, even Italian speaking viewers are compelled to use closed captions. This adds to the fun. Please start working on season 2, I want to go on!

I started watching it as a a generic comedy but this odd film captured my interest very soon.

The story of a manager falling from higher standing positioning to underdog has been told a thousand times but, thanks to a straightforward plot and the intense good acting, the plot evolves recalling echoes of dystopian '70's movies, thus showing it's true face: a clear denunciation of new economy dehumanizing mechanisms focusing on customer satisfaction in the most total contempt of worker's dignity and rights.

It's an updated "Modern Times" told in light and, apparently, simple tones, hitting hard the fat belly of our society.