Simple stories don't require fancy filmmaking techniques or expensive special effects to make an impression, and film stories don't come any simpler than "Bread & Tulips (Pane e Tulipani)."
So, needless to say, this refreshingly offbeat Italian comedy may make quite an impression on audiences who are sick of the effects-heavy but soulless creations Hollywood has been unleashing on theaters this year.
Actually, in concept it sounds somewhat similar to the "Home Alone" movies — late-30ish housewife Rosalba Barletta (Licia Maglietta) becomes separated from her boorish, philandering husband, Mimmo (Antonio Catania), and their two teenage sons while on vacation.
Rather than go back for her, the father and sons continue on their merry little way, which doesn't make Rosalba very happy, to say the least. So instead of trying to catch up with them, she decides to hitchhike home, but instead winds up in Venice. Soon, the city becomes Rosalba's home-away-from-home, as she takes her own private vacation. She even takes a job as a florist's assistant and finds semi-permanent housing in the apartment of a suicidal but mild-manner waiter (veteran European character actor Bruno Ganz), who leaves her thoughtful meals and notes each morning.
In the meantime, Mimmo is having such a hard time running the household by himself, so he sends a company intern (Giuseppe Battiston, a dead ringer for filmmaker Michael Moore) to Venice to find his wayward spouse.
Where this main story thread winds up isn't quite where you'd expect (it's definitely not as predictable as the all-too-inevitable English-language remake will be).
Co-writer/director Silvio Soldini (1993's "A Split Soul") also pays considerable attention to details, such as the fact that Rosalba appears to become more luminous with each bit of precious "freedom" she receives. And he and co-screenwriter Doriana Leondoff populate the tale with lively, appealing characters, many of whom could merit their own movies.
Not that the appealing Maglietta is an undeserving central figure, mind you. And even though the craggy Ganz is no matinee idol, he's certainly charming enough here.
"Bread & Tulips (Pane e Tulipani)" is rated PG-13 for scattered use of profanity (including one utterance of the so-called "R-rated" curse word), as well as some brief sexual contact. Running time: 114 minutes.
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