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 grandeur of the events being presented on film. Add other Antipodean film such as Walkabout and Rabbit-proof fence, Chris Marker's Japan in Sans Soleil and even the Midlands in Atom Egoyan's Felicia's Journey and you can see a grand tradition of film as travelogue. The other thing these films have in common is that they also have great scripts and drama so that the movie isn't merely an excuse to show the landscape. Respiro is another film in this tradition. Dismissed by some critics as being a bit slight, the leisurely pace of the film does accentuate the feeling of a sun-drenched holiday which isn't hurt by the amount of both young male and female bodies in swimming costumes or less.

The plot there is concerns a mother whose mental health is slowly deteriorating and whose erratic behaviour (such as releasing the town's stray dogs on the streets) give the locals cause for concern. Not wanting to see her locked up her son hides her in a cave on the cliff face by the ocean and it is her relationship with him & his younger brother that provides the backbone of the film.

Beautifully shot with subtle characterisation and drama this is a brilliant little Italian film that is more than welcome in the long, dark and cold British winter...