By Linda Winsh-Bolard
Lecca is very beautiful town somewhere in Italy where a family made a lot of money, like a lot of money, on pasta.
Currently run by the patriarch of second generation, it is already training sons of the third.
The clan of Cantones lives together, matriarch original(very good Ilaria Occhini), her son and daughter, the son's wife and her two sons, and their daughter with her husband.
The younger son, Tommaso, returned home to admit that he actually studied philosophy rather than economy in Rome, wants to be a writer and is gay. He confides all this to his brother .
At the scheduled dinner,Tommaso is upstaged by the very same brother who announces that he is gay and gets thrown out.
Their father cries himself to small hear attack at the perception of the shame his son's sexuality brought on all of them. The entire family is thrown into turmoil of indecision as how to deal with such tragedy.
Tommaso 's life is derailed by the need to take over his brother's responsibilities at the factory .
This is intercepted by the matriarch's memory of her wedding, and pearls of truth equal to: you have to make your own mistakes if you want to be happy.
Add a pretty girl, a visit of whole bodied gay friends and lovers and the seaside.
The film is faultlessly technically executed. Beautifully shot, making the most of the exteriors of ancient town, costumes and lighting, well edited and visually pleasing, if not innovative.
Unfortunately, the story is shallow, and in 2013 largely pointless. A group of well off people, who did little to be in such comfortable circumstances, and care nothing for anyone outside their rich circle, is fighting each other out of laziness of mind an lack of talent. Who cares?
When the matriarch in effect committed a sugar induced suicide, I was revolted by the self indulgence and stupid selfishness of the act.
It nicely summed up the idea of the movie: I wanna!
No kidding. In her will , the matriarch divided her wealth to the grand kids but gave nothing to the servant who cared for her. Servants apparently need no money or freedom.
It is amazing to me that in a country suffering from huge unemployment, astounding corruption and political scandals, one can be so protected by money that one can wrap oneself in one's sexuality.
Guess what, except for you, no one cares.
Director Ferzan Ozpetek made a comedy that is as cloying and sugary as the chocolate that chokes grand mama; go if that's your cup of chocolate.
Camera: Maurizio Calveri, Script:Ivan Controneo.Ferzan Ozpetek, Editing: Patrizio Marone
Stars:Riccardo Scamarcio, Nicole Grimaudo, Alessandro Preziosi, Ennio Fantastichini, Lunetta Savino
