Pinocchio

A master director has created a lovely 21st century movie of the 140 year-old Italian book The Adventures of Pinocchio. This version is closer to the book in all its grim. Sometimes too grim, but always very Italian. The grim story is beautifully told. The Italian landscape is a drop dead gorgeous character in the story.

I've just been to see this film. Had no expectations, as I never usually read reviews before going to a film. This was absolutely charming. It's certainly not Disney, thank god. I'm over 60 and it reminded me of the German "singing ringing tree" which was aired in the UK in the 60s. Me and my siblings loved it. It was weird and funky, and odd and spooky, all the things kids love. Well 60s kids. And this film took me back to the wonder of fantasy and how it sparks the imagination. Yes it's dubbed. So what. That kind of adds to the weirdness of it, and it's charm. Go and see it. It's too good for kids.

Pinocchio fascinates filmmakers. The first atru to bring to screen Carlo Collodi's novel took place in 1936, as an animated feature, in Italy, but the first to complete the project were Walt Disney and his colleagues in 1940. Another 20 films followed, animated or with actors. The 2019 version directed by Matteo Garrone is the most recent, being released at the end of 2019. Its international distribution was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The next remake is already in preparation. Until then, audiences around the world are waiting to watch the 2019 edition of 'Pinocchio' - a film with many qualities but which will certainly not be the ultimate big screens version of the story of carpenter Geppetto and of his wooden-made son.

There are at least two possible readings of Pinocchio's story. The first is the moralistic reading that includes a few lessons that we would like to make sure as parents that they are well assimilated by our children. Attachment to parents, discipline, desire to learn, the need for tenderness - all these positive paternal values are transmitted through the elements of the fairy tale. I will call the second reading the transcendental one - it is about the desire of the animated piece of wood, carved in a talking doll by Geppetto, to become human, aspiring to the normality of a childhood like all children enjoy. Between the two feelings of Pinoccho the writer interposed the character of the fairy who appears in the key moments and who shows Pinocchio the road towards fulfilling the dream, a path that requires earning the discipline and the strength necessary to overcome all adversity. Good childhood lessons are eternal and apply at any age.

Matteo Garrone's filmography combines courageous social films related to today's realities of Italy with the exploration of classic and fantastic literature created (also) for children. 'Pinocchio' obviously belongs to the second category, but what surprised me a little is the flatness of the approach. The film looks great visually. Technology-wise this recent 'Pinocchio' is an achievement. The make-up is masterful, the costumes are very appropriate, the sets combine with elegance historical accuracy with fantastic touches, because after all we are in a fairy tale. The camera allows itself from time to time angles that reminded me of the 'Wizard of Oz'. Roberto Benigni plays an excellent role in his second 'Pinocchio', after the first one, not very successful, in 2002 in which he had assumed both film direction and the titular role. Now he has advanced in age and was promoted to make a wonderfully disturbing Geppetto. Pinocchio is played by Federico Ielapi, an 8-9 year old boy, whose make-up left only his eyes to express the range of emotions of the wooden doll who dreams of becoming a child like all the other. However, the impressive production cannot completely cover the lack of emotion or daring that would have made this 'Pinocchio' a memorable film. Lasting two hours, the film risks getting its children audiences get tired and lose focus. The mature audiences will not find enough substance to justify the effort of watching beyond the duty to accompany children or grandchildren to the cinema theaters. This 'Pinocchio' is interesting in many ways but it could have been more. The next occasion will be the animated remake of the 1940 production which is now in preparation at the Disney Studios.

I love , from childhood , the work of Carlo Collodi. I love , in same measure, today , Pinocchio. And the expectations about the movie of Matteo Garrone was high for many reasons. The result - interesting but, first, for seductive details. An adaptation as fair return to the novel. Great job of Roberto Benigni, fixing the memory about not the most inspired Pinocchio, adorable Maria Pia Timo and amazing make - up. Short, just beautiful. For each scene. For the poetry of few images, for the remind of emotions of the first meet with book, for the decent solutions and for the answer to the desire to not be impressive but a pleasant gift.

This is a largely faithful, visually neat adaptation of Collodi's classic of children's literature. Talented director Matteo Garrone (Il Racconto dei Racconti, Dogman, L'Imbalsamatore) keeps the darker side of his imagination at bay and correctly puts his visual talent in service of the story.

Performances are solid; Roberto Benigni is much better as Geppetto - warm, paternal, lovably awkward - than he was as Pinocchio. Even the kids are fine, with Ielapi as the titular protagonist, the naive, stubborn but well-meaning Pinocchio, Baldari Calabria as the quietly mischievous young fairy and Di Domenicantonio as toxic friend Lucignolo.

Special mention to the excellent make-up and costumes.

7,5/10