Reviews

... you will find in this movie: adventure, humor, fun, passion, love, friendship, suspense, mystery. A timeless story, very well played by the whole cast. Furthermore, in this movie (it seems to me that) each actor/actress is perfectly chosen for the corresponding character. Impossible not to laugh, difficult not to cry. A must suitable for every age audience, since it can be appreciated at different levels. A child will have fun with the adventure and comic situations, while adults could be more attracted by the complex characters relationships in all their shades. Last, but not least, the movie contains the (maybe) best duel with sword of the whole cinema's story. Enjoy it as soon as possible !

I really dislike this movie for several reasons. First, because, from an historical point of view, it seems to me highly politically incorrect. In fact, it describes Vietnam war in a too partial and superficial way. Partial because Vietcongs (vietnam soldiers) are always and only seen as bad and cruel, whereas us soldiers are all somewhat heroes. Other movies, by other (us !) directors, like Oliver Stone, describes THAT war in a very different manner, showing heroism (sometimes) and cruelty (so often !) on both sides. In my opinion, the movie is also superficial because, talking about war in general, describes war as some sort of a "hard competition" between adult men. I am wondering if not only Vietnam war but only one of modern wars fits this description. I am afraid that all modern wars, Vietnam war included, are better described as long sequences of useless massacres involving innocent women, babies, old men and women. As a last observation, in my opinion some sequences are really absurd. Which is the probability that one survive Russian roulette FOR MONTHS ? Which is the probability that two caught soldiers get free from their enemies without any help from outside by simply taking the guns from their enemies trousers ? In this respect, I think a mistake concerning the chosen genre has been done. Some sort of things MAY happen in adventure movies like "star wars" or "raiders of the lost ark", but not in a dramatic one, where events shown needs to be believable.

I think Palombella Rossa is the best movie of Nanni Moretti (but I am afraid that non-italians people may not think the same, because there are several references to the situation of Italy, both in the 70's and at the time of the movie, that is 1989).

I also think that it is easy to like Moretti (and his movies) very much or dislike him (and his movies) very much. It is much more difficult to stay in the middle.

I personally find in this movie a wonderful mix of humour, fun and poetry. I also appreciate a lot the choice of music and songs and the images from Doctor Zivago (which is immortal, in my opinion).

I think people who liked Moretti movies like April, Son's room and Dear Diary should see this one as well, and I hope they will enjoy it.