Mia

Somebody go see this movie, it is in the best traditions of great Italian movies, making a fine study, from a difficult (harrowing) topic.

Given the outline, girl falls for violent and controlling relationship, you wonder how director De Matteo can make something original and arresting of this, but he succeeds very well, including an intricate but well-judged ending.

The father, mother, and abused girl, are all played with great skill, particular plaudits to Edoardo Leo, whose love for his daughter is made unbearably palpable and believable. Not to mention the human flaws in his makeup, which threaten to derail his responses to his daughter's travails.

Minor characters, cinematography, musical score, all carry their share of the load. Nor does the movie overstay its welcome.