Respiro (2002) DVD Reviews

Starring	Valeria Golino, Vincenzo Amato, Veronica D'Agostino, Filippo Pucillo
Director	Emanuelle Crialese
Genres	Drama, World Cinema

Critics' reviews (2) of Respiro
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The perils of insularity dawn upon a Sicilian fishing village in this touching tale of envy, ignorance and acceptance. Unable to cope with wife Valeria Golino's mood swings, Vincenzo Amato bows to communal pressure and agrees to have her committed to an institution on the mainland. However, Golino is protected in her beach hideaway by teenage son Francesco Casisa, who admires her free spirit even though he doesn't fully understand it. With Fabio Zamarion's camera contrasting the island of Lampedusa's natural beauty with its inhabitants' struggle to survive, director Emanuele Crialese's drama avoids rose-tinted realism by remaining focused on landscape and character.
- Radio Times
- Posted 08 Oct 2007
A vivid, wispy missive from a strange land that turns out to be the small fishing island of Lampedusa, south of Sicily,... read more on Time Out
- Time Out
- Posted 04 Nov 2008
Most helpful members' reviews (3) of Respiro
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15 out of 15 people found this review helpful

simple yet beautiful

This is a beautiful film with fantastic scenery. It is a very simple story, very well shot and gently paced. It makes you feel like you are on the beach ... more

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- - A customer from Battersea
  - Posted 20 Jul 2004 15:16
14 out of 15 people found this review helpful

Charming, moving and attractive Italian movie

In terms of spectacle, part of the appeal of the Lord of the Rings films has been the terrific use of New Zealand's topography which accentuates the ... more

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- - AlexinLondon from London
  - Posted 28 Feb 2004 15:45
7 out of 8 people found this review helpful

Breath in this special tale

Many descriptions of this film, including many a synopsis, centre around the unorthodox nature of the main character?wife, mother and worker Grazia?played by a ... more

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- - Christiaan from London/Aotearoa
  - Posted 12 Dec 2004 23:00
Most recent members' reviews (2) of Respiro
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

Lovely

nice slow pace, building up to a different ending, worth watching for some of the beautiful camera shots. well worth a try, its a great movie

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- - A customer from edinburgh
  - Posted 24 Sep 2004 20:53
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

excellent and refreshing

Good imaging, charming and spicy movie without any hollowood or american touch

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- - A customer from Cambridge, England
  - Posted 20 Apr 2005 21:27

15 out of 15 people found this review helpful

simple yet beautiful

This is a beautiful film with fantastic scenery. It is a very simple story, very well shot and gently paced. It makes you feel like you are on the beach ... more

Report this review
- - A customer from Battersea
  - Posted 20 Jul 2004 15:16
14 out of 15 people found this review helpful

Charming, moving and attractive Italian movie

In terms of spectacle, part of the appeal of the Lord of the Rings films has been the terrific use of New Zealand's topography which accentuates the ... more

Report this review
- - AlexinLondon from London
  - Posted 28 Feb 2004 15:45
7 out of 8 people found this review helpful

Breath in this special tale

Many descriptions of this film, including many a synopsis, centre around the unorthodox nature of the main character?wife, mother and worker Grazia?played by a ... more

Report this review
- - Christiaan from London/Aotearoa
  - Posted 12 Dec 2004 23:00
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful

Tragic, moving and beautifully filmed

This gently paced film will not be to everyone's taste but if you like something more from your films than normal Hollywood simplistic fare then watch this... more

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- - A customer from Scotland
  - Posted 31 Dec 2004 04:36
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

Respiro - you could have someone's eye out with that!

This is yet another excellent film from the italian, sorry sicillian stable. Who cares about brushing up the Italian, you can go to an italian restauant or an ... more

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- - SUDHIR SHAH from Brentford, Middlesex
  - Posted 20 Jun 2005 22:12
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

A feel of Sicily

Surprisingly entertaining and colourful film (considering it got panned in the press).

Very bright, vivid portrayal of life in a remote seaside ... more

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- - Neil1963 from Oxon
  - Posted 17 May 2004 15:42
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

A Southern gem

This movie was a true discovery: it is totally unpredictable and keeps you staring at the TV screen listening and absorbed throughout. The acting is inspired: ... more

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- - A customer from London
  - Posted 13 Jan 2005 20:18
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

A breath of fresh air

Its very hard to fault the natural acting ability of the Italians/Sicillians- particularly the children. How do they get it so right?

Just a simple ... more

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- - A customer from Norfolk, England
  - Posted 06 Feb 2006 12:15
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

excellent and refreshing

Good imaging, charming and spicy movie without any hollowood or american touch

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- - A customer from Cambridge, England
  - Posted 20 Apr 2005 21:27
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

Heart-warming tale in breathtaking setting

I love this film. Emmanuele Crialese's beautifully innocent & simple tale offers an insight into the complexities of life in a remote village in Sicily... more

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- - Sabrina G from Kensington, London
  - Posted 23 Apr 2005 17:49

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Critics' reviews (2)
The perils of insularity dawn upon a Sicilian fishing village in this touching tale of envy, ignorance and acceptance. Unable to cope with wife Valeria Golino's mood swings, Vincenzo Amato bows to communal pressure and agrees to have her committed to an institution on the mainland. However, Golino is protected in her beach hideaway by teenage son Francesco Casisa, who admires her free spirit even though he doesn't fully understand it. With Fabio Zamarion's camera contrasting the island of Lampedusa's natural beauty with its inhabitants' struggle to survive, director Emanuele Crialese's drama avoids rose-tinted realism by remaining focused on landscape and character.
- Radio Times
- Posted 08 Oct 2007
A vivid, wispy missive from a strange land that turns out to be the small fishing island of Lampedusa, south of Sicily,... read more on Time Out
- Time Out
- Posted 04 Nov 2008

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