Il prato

Shot in the Tuscan countryside, "Il prato" examines the possibilities of realizing what could be termed Utopian ideals in the Marxist-agrarian context of developing a direct understanding of the land as a source of spiritual and material nourishment. The landscape of multi-towered San Gimignano is used as a focus of the conflicting emotions of three protagonists: an agricultural student, a young woman whose passion is political theatre (Isabella Rossellini), and a former law student whose real passion is cinema. Also starring Saverio Marconi, who had the lead role in the Taviani Brothers' "Padre Padrone" and Giulio Brogi, seen in their "Saint Michael Had a Rooster."

The Taviani brothers worked together throughout their directorial career and produced many outstanding films but to my mind this one tops the lot. It is little known and I would not have seen it had I not turned up for a "Promote tourism in Tuscany" event and this was the chosen film. And I've never managed to see it again since.

If a great film is defined as a film that achieves some moments of pure magic (as some critics believe), then this film has more than its fair share of great moments. It has two great moments (99.99% of films have zero to put that into context).

The first magic moment is when the character played by Isabella Rossellini is viewed for the first time (I will not spoil it by describing her first appearance). The second magic moment is achieved when the character played by Michele Placido savours a moment of unexpected success, against his negative expectations. You can feel what he is feeling, that moment of exhilaration when you achieve something unexpected against all odds. This transmission of feeling from character to audience is indeed rare in cinema.

Il Prato deserves re-evaluation.

Essentially the film is a tale of a female character Eugenia with whom two males are smitten but the male lovers accept the fact graciously that lady loves both of them. This is the second feature film of Isabella Rossellini. The first sequence that the Taviani brothers introduce her in the film is magical. This is the only film made by the Taviani brothers that I can recall that employs the music of Ennio Morricone. The flute sequence where Ms Rossellini plays the Pied Piper of Hamlyn is the highlight of the film. Actor Saverio Marconi who plays Giovanni in this film is as impressive Ms Rossellini (who plays Eugenia) in this film based on an original script written by the Taviani brothers. Saverio Marconi played the son in the directors' most riveting film "Padre Padrone." The Taviani brothers, when they write their original scripts, often have two male leads (possibly their own alter egos) as in "Good Morning, Babylon" and Enzo and Giovanni in "The Meadow." The characters often discuss the prospect of making films as in "Il Prato/The Meadow." Of course, this concept of introducing two males, at least one of whom loves cinema, is not possible when they are adapting Pirandello, Shakespeare or Tolstoy. "The Meadow" also touches on the directors soft spot for socialism in poverty stricken rural Italy. This is a major Taviani film that again delves on the father/son relationships so deftly dealt in both "Padre Padrone" and "Good Morning, Babylon." The use of the meadow as a metaphor for subjects discussed in the film may escape the casual viewer.