Dillo con parole mie

It's hard to understand how this movie can be considered so lowly when thousands of computer-copied comedies every year get lot of consideration and even accolades. Mh. Maybe it's the pace, or the language (for non-Italian speakers), or the lack of big stars, but it still stings me.

This movie has a great story (for a comedy), brilliantly directed by Luchetti, and perfectly played by the 3 main characters.

I don't know what's the big deal with Megghy's whines. Maybe they sound odd for non-Italian speakers, but they are wonderfully over the line if you can get the spirit (and the words). I think the producers wanted this movie to be internationally sellable, but from this perspective, and by reading the comments, I think they failed: this is a little undiscovered gem but not to be sold in the English speaking market, as it appears to go misunderstood. Best example of this is the final scene: Maybe Luchetti himself mentioned this supposed Bollywood tribute, but unless they changed the song in the international version of the movie, I fail to see how the GLORIOUS voice of "the siren" Mina can be in any way related to Bollywood musical skits and bits.

The ending, the song, and the whole film, is a 100% Italian product. I am not a proud Italian at all, and I don't especially love Italian cinema (not the one produced in the last 25 years). This is just a fact: music, characters, acting.. all too Italian to be completely appreciated just reading some subtitles.

Bottom line: I loved it!

This is not a brilliant film -- we can't really care about these characters enough to enjoy their pensive montages -- but it is refreshingly blunt.

15-year-old Martina (who never made another feature, and soon turned to costuming) is often irritating, but in exactly the way a 15-year-old Italian girl should be: bossy, demanding, frustrated, and not yet sure how to marshal her own energies. Stefania (who co-wrote this) is 15 years older and too much in control -- oblivious that she stifles herself. Throw these two onto a sunny Greek isle full of vacationing teenagers, mix in a little Comedy of Errors, a little Cyrano, a little Odd Couple ... there is no real resolution, but a lot of truth. They argue, they agree, they both come of age in different ways.

Superb. Simply superb. This film has a way of making you relate to each one of the main characters in a witty, funky and delightful way. It manages to make a point without taking itself too seriously. It takes place on the Island of Ios in the Cyclades...and somehow, for the two hours you are watching, you feel like you're there! It becomes your story. After watching it, I always feel so elated and happy (which is rare, I assure you). I hope this director continues to make films, as her perspective is refreshing, entertaining and enlightening. I'm very excited to see what else she comes up with. As a side note, the soundtrack is also wonderful. I wish it was more readily available.

The film is full of beautiful scenery and a fun, though sorta out-of-place soundtrack (mainly consisting of upbeat Indian music...which doesn't really go with the language OR the location, but is fun nonetheless).

The 14 year old girl was sort of painful to watch...mostly because she was on the borderline between "awkward" and "kinda cute". The whining got old after a while though.

I LOVED the last scene though. Enough said. Go see it if you want to know what I mean.

Overall it was a cute film.

I'd give it somewhere between a 6 and a 6.5

Dillo con parole mie (Ginger and Cinnamon) is a fantastic little Italian film about learning to love people's foibles. A woman's niece tricks her into a vacation on a Greek island, on a quest to be deflowered at any cost. She zeroes in on a cute local baker...who happens to be connected by far fewer than six degrees of separation. Wackiness ensues. I also first saw this movie at the Open Roads film festival, though without the director present. I saw it with my best friend, and it's been a special little film between us since then- we even sing the song from the end (it's Ta-ra-ta-ta by Mina). Stefania Montorsi is brilliant, so much so that it makes you wonder how much the character of STEFY might be based on reality. "Megghy" can be a little annoying at times, but in a way that is so perfectly natural in her role. This is definitely a chick film, but so original. The boys are charming as they go along for the ride. I'm lucky (or spoiled!) because I also speak Italian and can get even more out of it, but I recommend it even if you stick to the English (or whatever language) subtitles.