40/19
An encounter with Amelia confronts her with new, shocking emotions
Line of Events
Seventeen-year-old Ginia experiences the ecstasy and confusion that characterize the mysterious journey into adulthood. But only by recognizing this love can she be herself.
A Girl in Love Played by Gabriele Graham Gasco
It’s frustrating to watch a film that seemingly follows a defined trajectory but constantly stumbles along the path it must take to get there. That’s exactly what happens in this coming-of-age story set in Italy in 1938.
But even as this proposal seemingly approaches its goal, it takes an unexpected left turn and leads to what the director herself admits is an intentionally ambiguous conclusion
Adapted from the 1949 novel by Cesare Pavese, it’s by writer-director Laura Luchetti, about an impressionable 17-year-old seamstress (Yile Yara Vianello) who falls in love with an artist’s model (Deva Cassel) and takes time (and many long detours) to reach its seemingly foregone conclusion. As a result, it’s the kind of film that will likely leave many viewers scratching their heads and wondering, “What’s the point of all this?” The film is said to be tackling a subject that was considered taboo at the time of the plot and the writing of the book, but that goal isn’t achieved as clearly as it could have been.
As a result, any noble intentions that may have gone into the production are decidedly overshadowed in the final cut
There are also passing references to the fascist socio-political conditions of the time (elements not included in the source material), but these are never developed much, making their inclusion feel like an afterthought. It must be admitted that «La Bella Summer» has beautiful cinematography, well-chosen settings that show the beauty of Turin and a moving soundtrack, but if these qualities are the best that can be said about the film, they do not say much about the film overall.