A thoroughly charming and introspective movie, focusing on a middle-aged man (Gianni di Gregorio) and a quartet of elderly ladies who move in to his tiny apartment in a trade with the administrator for falling behind on his condominium fees and rent. One of them is his mother, she was already there of course, and if I had to guess, the actress Valeria De Franciscis has to be one of the oldest, if not THE oldest woman ever to appear in a movie. And yet, she appeared in a couple more before she passed away earlier this year!
As the story starts out, you don't feel very much empathy for Gianni as he appears to be lazy and almost a con man in the way he shirks his financial responsibilities. But as the picture progresses, and the overnight visitors arrive, it appears that Gianni has to work harder at being a good housekeeper than any salaried job might require. Yet he does it with such equanimity and good spirit that it's impossible to judge him as a ne'er do well.
Though you wouldn't classify this film a comedy, there are a number of humorous moments that occur involving all the players. I got a kick out of Gianni spiking the chamomile to put the ladies to sleep so he could get some rest himself. Gianni's mother came up with that 'staff of command' business I never heard of before, and Marina was a hoot, getting frisky with Gianni and looking for a little naughty attention if I may be so bold to say. Grazia with her forbidden macaroni casserole was another comical event causing Gianni untold frustration in keeping all of these diverse personalities in check so they wouldn't over extend or hurt themselves.
The finale had some bittersweet tenderness to accompany it, as the women, some of whom fell out of sorts with each other to begin with, wound up being best of friends who wanted to preserve their moment of happiness around the dinner table forever. With it's quiet denouement, the movie allows us to reflect on the passing of time and how growing older doesn't have to be a time of loneliness and sorrow, a lesson we all expect to face some day.
As the story starts out, you don't feel very much empathy for Gianni as he appears to be lazy and almost a con man in the way he shirks his financial responsibilities. But as the picture progresses, and the overnight visitors arrive, it appears that Gianni has to work harder at being a good housekeeper than any salaried job might require. Yet he does it with such equanimity and good spirit that it's impossible to judge him as a ne'er do well.
Though you wouldn't classify this film a comedy, there are a number of humorous moments that occur involving all the players. I got a kick out of Gianni spiking the chamomile to put the ladies to sleep so he could get some rest himself. Gianni's mother came up with that 'staff of command' business I never heard of before, and Marina was a hoot, getting frisky with Gianni and looking for a little naughty attention if I may be so bold to say. Grazia with her forbidden macaroni casserole was another comical event causing Gianni untold frustration in keeping all of these diverse personalities in check so they wouldn't over extend or hurt themselves.
The finale had some bittersweet tenderness to accompany it, as the women, some of whom fell out of sorts with each other to begin with, wound up being best of friends who wanted to preserve their moment of happiness around the dinner table forever. With it's quiet denouement, the movie allows us to reflect on the passing of time and how growing older doesn't have to be a time of loneliness and sorrow, a lesson we all expect to face some day.