For the amount of WWII-era features and made-for-TV movies Italy has been churning out, plus the same number of episodic cable series--most drenched in annoying butterscotch filters--director Cinzia TH Torrini creates a unique, sensitive (and properly color- corrected) movie about beloved pop singer Peppino Di Capri. His early career and marital struggles maybe weren't that shocking, but the young cast here really sells the drama. And that includes incredible 5-year-old child prodigy Alessandro Gervasi, who plays Peppino as a boy, and really plays piano. Di Capri's rise to fame doesn't involve tragedy or severe financial downfall (the guy doesn't lose his gorgeous villa on the sea), but Francesco Del Gaudio handles a sizeable part not written to include a lot of banal pop star content. Di Capri's story almost mirrors Beach Boy Brian Wilson and his father's disinterest (see: jealousy) of his son's hard-earned recognition--just without the abuse. Equally strong--if not more--is Arianna DiClaudio, here a long way from her blink-and-you'll-miss-it part on the Disney series "Penny on MARS", playing the complex, dysfunctional first wife to DiCapri. DiClaudio radiates plenty of sexuality and danger without any of her behavior crossing the line into caricature. A solid soundtrack includes effective contemporary music without distraction, and the Naples, Capri locations are stunning. Aaron Stielstra stands out as General Mark Clark who pays 5-year-old Peppino his first salary to play Scott Joplin in a brothel.
