Napoli - New York

I came to see this movie because of the reviews in various digital magazines that talked about the great CGI work they had done to adapt the city of Trieste as a setting to shoot the NY scenes. That's what mainly got my attention.

I'd say the first half is acceptably okay, being a movie 'with kids' (a subgenre that doesn't particularly appeal to me). The first part in Naples, which someone has defined as 'neo-realistic', has its interesting moments, with curious twists that, although it doesn't end up being a great movie, it keeps you sitting in your seat.

The problem begins after an hour of filming, when we see the first scenes of the ship sailing, 'aerial' shots with a CGI design of the 90's and that look like a cheap ad. If there was no budget why put those scenes? They could have avoided them.

But when the movie sinks is in NY. From that moment on, the plot, the dialogues and the construction of the characters fall apart. With one cliché after another, with all the commonplaces of movies about 'Italians in America' reheated without grace or originality. Nothing that happens is believable, neither the Little Italy location, nor the procession (didn't the director and screenwriter see The Godfather II?) nor what the actors do and say. Nothing is saved.

The characters are left without a script, without corporeity, what they say and what they do has neither consistency nor drama (which there should have been). The film, both in its staging and in the construction of characters, becomes a caricature. What a pity!

What happened to them? Precipitation? Lack of budget?

Or did they think that with Fellini's name in the credits and the promise that there is a 'treatment' of this film made by him, as an unrealized project, it would be enough to build a powerful story and the necessary magnitude to be able to stand next to monuments like 'The Godfather' or 'Once Upon a Time in America'?

Just seeing that there are only three reviews I imagine that few people have seen it and even fewer have wanted to comment on it, so I am encouraged to make this review and not recommend this film because for me it has been one of the great disappointments of this year.

The only thing that could be saved is the performance of the two children. I wish them the best.

Gabriele Salvatores has crafted a delightful film based on a treatment written in their youth by Fellini and Pinelli. They are responsible for the story of Celestina, who, a few years after the end of the war, decides to escape a life of hardship in Naples to reach New York, the promised land brimming with opportunities. The protagonist's coming-of-age story is mirrored in the narrative style, which transitions from the neorealism of the first part to the fairy-tale quality of the second. Salvatores and the cast deliver an extraordinary performance, maintaining the film's delicate balance between drama, comedy, and fantasy. The result is a refined elegance that avoids the saccharine or overly sentimental tones the story could have easily inspired. A significant contribution comes from the impeccable production design and the soundtrack, combining period and contemporary music, which imbues the film with a poetic lightness throughout.

Napoli New York looks polished, but it stinks of moral decay. It glorifies thieves and losers as 'victims' and mocks anyone honest. Every scene drips with fake sentiment and self-pity -as if stealing becomes noble once you're poor or 'different' Salvatores wraps rot in nostalgia, hoping the lighting and music will hide the stench/ It doesn't.

Gabriele Salvatores' "Naples to New York" is a tender, nostalgic tale that brings an unproduced script by Federico Fellini and Tullio Pinelli to life. Set in the aftermath of World War II, the film follows two Neapolitan children as they embark on a transatlantic journey to New York, seeking escape from the poverty of postwar Italy.

Salvatores pays homage to Fellini's storytelling with a mix of whimsy and melancholy, crafting a narrative that feels both classic and timeless. Pierfrancesco Favino shines as the enigmatic ship captain, guiding the young protagonists with a quiet strength that adds depth to the story. The two child actors deliver heartfelt performances, capturing the innocence and resilience of their characters as they navigate both the physical and emotional turbulence of their journey.

Visually, the film excels with rich, painterly cinematography that evokes the golden age of Italian cinema. The sweeping shots of the ocean and the bustling ship create a sense of grandeur, while the intimate moments ground the story in raw human emotion. The score complements the visuals beautifully, blending traditional Italian melodies with subtle modern touches.

However, *Naples to New York* occasionally struggles to maintain momentum, with certain scenes feeling stretched or overly sentimental. While Salvatores succeeds in honoring Fellini's vision, the film doesn't always escape the shadow of its legendary source material, leaving it feeling more like an homage than a fully realized masterpiece.

This is a film for lovers of classic Italian cinema, rich in atmosphere and emotion. Best enjoyed in a contemplative mood, *Naples to New York* invites viewers to reflect on themes of hope, loss, and the pursuit of a better life.

Rating: 7/10 - A visually stunning tribute to Fellini that tugs at the heartstrings but falls just short of greatness.

To say that Napoli - New York is a 'nice' movie is both a compliment and a mild criticism. This is a movie that is relentlessly 'nice' in a way more reminiscent of Disney's 1950s live-action films, than of Fellini's heart-rending black-and-white masterpieces. But there's no denying it's also beautifully mounted, well-cast and highly enjoyable.

The story is simple: two vagabond Neapolitan kids go through a series of post-WW2 misadventures, ending up (you guessed it) in New York. The children are brilliantly cast, to the point of almost being too good to be true. Their adventures never seem likely to veer into tragic territory... so be prepared to take the sincere historical adventure with a modest dose of saccharine.

The supporting roles are all well done, as is the period (1950-ish) atmosphere. The story is told competently and effectively, with lovely visuals of both titular cities as well as the ocean voyage between them. Best of all are the little random vignettes, such as an interaction with a man playing blues on his porch.

The final act of the tale does strain credulity somewhat. Oddly, this slightly surreal turn seemed more Fellini-ish to me than the earlier, more-realistic narrative of the children's voyage. But it's all handled very smoothly, leading up to a satisfying yet 'futuristic' ending.

I've tried, and failed, to imagine what all this might have looked like had Federico Fellini directed his own script. Perhaps the closest parallel would be to Fellini's later, warmer and more-naturalistic films like Amarcord - which I always found to be his least interesting phase. (As contrasted with, say, Satyricon, which I preferred.) But no matter - the Fellini link lured me to watch Napoli - New York, but the movie amply justified itself with its fine production and atmospheric good humor.

Despite my slight reservations, I would definitely recommended Napoli - New Work as a relaxing, joyful watch for the whole family. Just don't expect to discover a 'lost' 8-1/2, La Strada or Juliet of the Spirits.