Pranzo di ferragosto (2008)

English title: Mid-August Lunch

Middle-aged Gianni lives with his very old mother and is deep in debt. He is very fond of white wine and also cooks very well. His best friend goes by the nickname of Viking and is always sitting at the sidewalk in front of the liquor store. Gianni has a visitor with alarming news: it is his condo's administrator, who says Gianni will be evicted if he does not pay some of his debt. But he offers Gianni a deal: he will pay up part of Gianni's debt in exchange for Gianni taking care of his mother (and, as it later turns up, his aunt) during a few days. A short while later, his doctor asks him a similar favor. Gianni accepts, and for a few days has to manage a complicated domestic situation. But is it only for a few days or is it a financially profitable opportunity for Gianni?

It is quite incredible that this simple and relatively short film, which is little more than a sitcom episode of sorts, has met with such an enthusiastic reception. Are we this poor of cinematic offerings these days (this was ten years ago, but what has changed?). Apparently, yes. Anyway, there you have it, what can I say in the way of criticism? Nothing really.

Rating: 33