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Looking for Alibrandi

  • 2000
  • 1h 43m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
3.7K
YOUR RATING
Looking for Alibrandi (2000)
ComedyDramaRomance

At seventeen Josie Alibrandi is about to enter her final year as a scholarship student at an exclusive Catholic College. It's the year her life is turned upside down and changed forever.At seventeen Josie Alibrandi is about to enter her final year as a scholarship student at an exclusive Catholic College. It's the year her life is turned upside down and changed forever.At seventeen Josie Alibrandi is about to enter her final year as a scholarship student at an exclusive Catholic College. It's the year her life is turned upside down and changed forever.

  • Director
    • Kate Woods
  • Writer
    • Melina Marchetta
  • Stars
    • Greta Scacchi
    • Anthony LaPaglia
    • Elena Cotta
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.0/10
    3.7K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Kate Woods
    • Writer
      • Melina Marchetta
    • Stars
      • Greta Scacchi
      • Anthony LaPaglia
      • Elena Cotta
    • 78User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 7 wins & 11 nominations total

    Photos2

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    Top cast31

    Edit
    Greta Scacchi
    Greta Scacchi
    • Christina Alibrandi
    Anthony LaPaglia
    Anthony LaPaglia
    • Michael Andretti
    Elena Cotta
    Elena Cotta
    • Katia Alibrandi
    Kerry Walker
    Kerry Walker
    • Sister Louise (Nun)
    Pia Miranda
    Pia Miranda
    • Josie Alibrandi
    Kick Gurry
    Kick Gurry
    • Jacob Coote
    Matthew Newton
    Matthew Newton
    • John Barton
    Leanne Carlow
    • Sera Conti
    Diane Viduka
    • Anna Selicic
    Leeanna Walsman
    Leeanna Walsman
    • Carly Bishop
    Michael Gallina
    • Robert
    Rosa DiMarte
    • Patrizia
    Domenico DiMarte
    • Riccardo
    Tyrone Lara
    • Anton Valavic
    Geoff Morrell
    Geoff Morrell
    • Mr. Barton
    Graeme Blundell
    Graeme Blundell
    • Ron Bishop
    Ned Manning
    Ned Manning
    • Mr. Coote
    Salvatore Coco
    Salvatore Coco
    • Angelo Pezzini
    • Director
      • Kate Woods
    • Writer
      • Melina Marchetta
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews78

    7.03.7K
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    Featured reviews

    Philby-3

    Agreeable adaptation

    A film treatment of a well-loved ( despite being prescribed school reading) children's story is always a delicate matter but here the makers have captured most of the spirit of the original, possibly helped by the fact that Melina Marchetta, the original author, also wrote the screenplay. Josie is the daughter of a single mother of Sicilian background who attends an exclusive Catholic girls' school on a scholarship. Her father, who she has never known, turns up out of the blue as a successful lawyer and she and her mother both have to cope with this not entirely welcome event. Josie, being 17, is also interested in boys, two in particular. One is a nice but insecure kid from the establishment, the other, self –confident and sexy, from a single parent home on the other side of the tracks. Also in the story is Josie's Nona (Grandma), long widowed after a loveless marriage, who lives nearby and keeps a close check on Josie's doings. Josie's occasional voice-overs and her lapses into fantasy give the film a slightly Adrian Mole-ish atmosphere, but Josie's family and friends are not grotesque, just human.

    Women who haven't had a father while growing up are supposed to find it more difficult to handle adult males and Josie has to learn to deal with a father and boyfriends at the same time. She also has to handle to snobbery at school, not to mention the burden of the dreaded HSC exam in her final year. She is aiming high (law at a prestigious university) so that she can escape from little Italy and the annual tomato sauce bottling. She learns, of course, that you cannot escape from what made you, you can only make it work for you. As in real life, nothing quite works out according to plan, but at the end she's a year older and wiser.

    It's Pia Miranda's film. Her Josie is assertive, vulnerable and warm. A raft of good supporting actors back her up. Greta Scacchi, often cast as a sex bomb, is a blowsy but loving Mum. Anthony La Paglia is a bit of a stock character as the new-found father but has a couple of good scenes. Elena Cotta as Nono and Matthew Newton and Kick Gurry as the silvertail and rough trade boyfriends also do good work. Kerry Walker, so often cast as a female monster, puts in a restrained performance as a firm but sympathetic schoolteacher. I also liked Josie's two girlfriends Anna and Sara, the 'wog chicks' in the old Merc, and their no-holds barred approach to enjoying life despite the HSC and demanding parents. Sydney city vistas are also used to good effect – the bridges, the harbour, Bondi Beach, and there was even a school debate in the foyer of the Opera Theatre. It was nice to get away from the grunge Sydney seen in 'Two Hands' etc.

    I noticed that though I could hardly be described as being in the target audience for this film I was smiling most of the way through and emerged from the cinema with a reasonably cheerful feeling. It's not a particularly dramatic story but it's easy to warm to the characters. A film adaption that works, it seems.
    9Mimble

    Finally a decent "love story" with a twist of multiculturism

    I don't usually like "love stories" but having read the book and having enjoyed the book, I went along to this movie. Being an Aussie movie was also a highlight for me because I am used to trashy American sop stories. I knew this movie was good because even the meanest movie reveiwers enjoyed it. I came out of it and felt like jumping with joy because FINALLY some movie makers had made a realistic "love tale"!

    The fact that the movie also deals with racism, and all those other "isms" (ageism, sexism and so on) raised it up a notch for me. It was THE best Aussie movie I saw that year and probably even just the best movie.

    I don't know if everyone would enjoy it, but I think most people would get something out of it.
    7nfazzolari

    A cult classic for many reasons

    Pia Miranda is a a great lead and such a likeable character. The movie depicts family dynamic LD and showcases the true Italian culture and traditions.
    8Rob-77

    Looking in all the right places.

    Okay, so firstly this is a fine Australia film. What that means is that it is quirky, memorable, identifiable and just a great way to spend an hour or so. Don't expect big names, well outside of Australia, and don't expect guns, car chases, FX, or your typical Hollywood blaise. This film goes to prove that the simple story of a girl looking for who she is in the world, can still bring a tear to ones eye.

    Secondly, for the ladies, if you are looking for a good "chick-flick" you can hardly go wrong. And for the lads, Pia epitamises the "girl next door" look.

    Lastly, if you haven't experienced a good Aussie movie and don't fancy a youthful Mel Gibson, why not give this movie a go. I highly recommend it.
    9rudi-15

    One of the best Australian films.

    "Looking For Alibrandi" is a great film. It shows what impact culture and family background can have on an Australian girl learning about the world. The movie also points out how important family values are to children growing up in todays society. One characters teenage suicide was an awful example of how the interests of young minds should be respected and the fact that the youth of today should be able to decide on their own futures with the full attention and best wishes of parents. Alot happens in the mind of a teenager, especially in their final year of high-school. Their thoughts and emotions should always be listened to and cared for.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The novel "Looking for Alibrandi" is the most-stolen book from Australian high-school libraries.
    • Goofs
      Josie's hair changes between black and auburn throughout the film. Particularly notable when she mistakes a student for John Barton at the train station. Her hair was colorful, turns black, then is colorful again in the next scene.
    • Quotes

      John Barton: If I could be anything but what I am, I would be tomorrow. If I could be what my father wants me to be, then maybe I could stay for that, too. If I could be what you want me to be, I'd want to stay. But I am what I am, and all I want is freedom.

    • Connections
      Featured in Survivor : Australie: Episode #4.1 (2019)
    • Soundtracks
      Tintarella Di Luna
      Written by Bruno De Filippi / Franco Migliacci

      Performed by Gina Zoia

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    FAQ19

    • How long is Looking for Alibrandi?Powered by Alexa
    • Chapter Headings, an unofficial version, v1.10:

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 4, 2000 (Australia)
    • Country of origin
      • Australia
    • Languages
      • English
      • Italian
    • Also known as
      • Di Tìm Alibrandi
    • Filming locations
      • The Scots College, Bellevue Hill, New South Wales, Australia(John Barton's school)
    • Production company
      • Robyn Kershaw Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 43 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1

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