Tu ridi (1998) Online

Paolo & Vittorio Taviani are an enigma that even startle, a bit, the Coen-brothers. They are supposed to be the last true storytellers on the silver screen, and maybe that is true. Whenever they use the books of Luigi Pirandello, it must be true. Alright, this film is very Very good, (although it does not reach the sheer perfection of their KAOS) with all the subtle and cruel differences of emotion mankind has to offer. Available on DVD thanks to the Dutch label Homescreen (only Dutch subtitles and the original Italian language I am afraid), this really is a film not to be missed. Like all the films of these two brothers....

"You Laugh" directed by the brothers Paolo and Vittorio Taviani and based on two stories by Luigi Pirandello was shown on cable recently. The film consists on two different stories, "Felice" and "Two Kidnappings". The first segment is set in Rome of the 1930s and the second one has two stories running side by side, both about the same theme. The Tavianis are serious filmmakers who have given us films of immense beauty. Their movies are always a treat for the eyes because of the poetry seen through their eyes. "You Laugh" is no different. Shot in Rome and Agrigento by cinematographer Giuseppe Lanci, one cannot cease to marvel at the brothers' amazing power to capture in poetic terms the beauty around them.

The Tavianis set the film in three different eras. The first one, "Felice" is set in Rome, capturing the amazing architecture of the Rome of the not too distant past combining the story with the world of opera because our hero's involvement in it. The second one takes place in the Sicily of Pirandello. In fact, the modern Agrigento is combined with the rural setting of the kidnapping of Dr. Ballaro, and the mountain named after him.

Antonio Albanese is Felice the tragic figure of a man who had to abandon his dreams of having a career in the lyrical theater. This actor goes from laughing hysterically, to showing the deep sorrow that is hidden in his heart. Giuseppe Cederna is seen as Tobia, the handicapped man who cannot take the tormenting he is forced to take because of his condition. Luca Zingaretti is the cruel Migliori. Turi Ferro does wonders with his Dr. Ballaro. The supporting cast contributes to the enjoyment of the film.

A film about taste of life. About cruel innocence and search of yourself, a splendid Pirandello- Taviani cocktail and description of the essence of gestures.

A delicate pledge for the discover of world. Victims and games. Expectation and subtle fear. And ambiguous definitions of life.

The first part is the story of a poor man and his strange cruelty. About images of a gray existence, small frustrations and desire to be more than a shadow. A strange murder and the bricks of life are only gloomy dust. But the desires are more than dreams of fictions.

The second story is picture of the life's waves. A kidnapping in two different eras. A priest and a boy. And the same death. It is a tale about fly, art, knowledge and its ashes. Exploration of basic errors and ambiguous gestures. End of innocence and forms of interior lies. Limits of game and voice of its blood.

Despite the the title and that the first of the two stories is about a man who laughs uncontrollably when he sleeps, this movie is profoundly unfunny and probably never was intended to be. Labeling "You Laugh" (the English language title) is like calling WWII "a great time had by all"! This is because this is probably the most depressing movie I have seen in a very long time--and this is saying something because I have watched a lot of Ingmar Bergman movies recently!! Okay, just because a movie is depressing does NOT mean it's bad--some of our best films are quite depressing to watch. BUT, with the title, I was ready to laugh. But, both the stories involve murder and suicide. Just when you start to care about someone, they are brutally murdered (such as the little boy beaten to death with a huge rock) or kill themselves. Believe it or not, these are NOT funny topics to me (if they ARE to you, please contact the police or your psychiatrist as soon as possible).

So why does the movie STILL score a 4? Well, despite the depressing nature of the film, I must say that the acting and cinematography were good. I particularly liked the opera singer from the first vignette (of course, he later drowned himself).

Oh well. I guess I need to watch a REAL comedy now so I can get out of the funk the movie put me in after seeing it!

As a Frenchman, i have always been attracted by Italia because Italians are said to be "happy french". That explains why i used to watch a lot Italian channels on satellite and how i discovered Italian stars. But open markets aren't a reality in culture thus it's hard to find their movies.

This one stars "la" Ferilli and it's actually two short movies in one. If the stories are totally different (a suicide and a kidnapping), the directing blend them (a lot of blue filter for the night, long sequences of silence,...) and they are heavy on drama! Hope seems impossible. The only source of joy and happiness comes from the women in a sort of Holy Mary: "la" Ferilli and the criminal's wife brings a striking light in all this darkness. They may appears for seconds but they are really received as saviors. In addition, the movies take place in small town or the country so it's a rather enjoyable trip out there! In conclusion, there is indubitably a lot of gripping poetry here but it's a pity that it is hurt by the irritating laughing of "Boza Maljkovic".