Starring: Joe Pantoliano, Paula Brancati, Marco Leonardi, Wendy Crewson, Tony Nardi, Tony Nappo, Franco Lo Presti, Kevin Hanchard
Distributor: Rialto Films
Runtime: 97 mins. Reviewed in Jun 2021
Reviewer: Fr Peter Malone msc
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From the vine came the grape, from the grape came the wine… as the lyrics from a popular song from the middle of last century goes. And, certainly by the end of the film, the wine is flowing.
This is a Canadian story, but it has its origins and fulfilment in Italy, especially in the vineyards, the wine press, those barrels of local red. The locality is in the Basilicata region of southern Italy, especially the hilltop Acerenza, one of the most picturesque and well preserved of those medieval cities (and filmed, frequently throughout the film, from spectacular helicopter angles). Anyone who loves cinema visits to the Italian countryside will not be disappointed in this display of wonderful scenery.
And Canada? This is the story of a young boy (Marco) who grew up in Acerenza racing the passing trains with his schoolfriends, bonding with his grandfather who owned and worked the vineyards. He went with his mother to Canada, went to school, got his law degree, married, had a daughter, and achieved business success. But, as they say, there comes a time in the tides… Marco’s vision is challenged and he melts, publicly, quitting his job (and not telling his wife and daughter). He decides to escape, back to Italy, back to Acerenza, back to his past.
This is where the film becomes very Italian, the range of townspeople, many idiosyncratic to say the least, discovering his old friends, going back to his grandfather’s house, becoming inspired by the vines and… Not hard to guess the rest. In fact, this is a great opportunity for veteran actor, Joe Pantoliano, to get main billing. He is likable, at moments irritating, having to get over himself, but exhilarated by going back home, his grandfather appearing to him from time to time (and, which may be a bit much for some audiences’ sense of realism, some of the leaves of the vines talk to him, and he talks back.)
Canada then intrudes on Italy with a sudden visit from his wife (Wendy Crewson) and daughter (Paula Brancati), his wife exasperated, especially as she discovers he has cleared out there retirement account, the daughter having to get over resentment of her father’s attempts to mould her into his own image.
This is popular and pleasing entertainment. It is meant for sitting back, relaxing (and being reminded of what life is like – for some people anyway).
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