My chief reason for seeking out this movie was the fact of being very much captivated by Adam Guettel's score for his musical adaptation. Without having seen the stage production, the overall impression is that it's a deeper far more intense treatment of the novel than is the movie. But in fact, the film's greatest achievement is that while not skirting the issues it refuses to seep into melodrama. It's a strange amalgam; a family's dealing with a retarded child, together with Hollywood's version of carefree, emotive Italians filmed on location in sunny Italy.
The story concerns the difficulties in dealing with retarded children. This is a serious, complex topic and one that is a constant challenge to the many families who have to deal with children who are mentally handicapped. A particularly problematic junction is the onset of adulthood for such a child.
The pivotal role in the movie is that of the mother, superbly played by Olivia de Havilland. She focuses on her daughter's inherent kindness and goodness and has a developed a down to earth, decidedly non tragic attitude towards the situation. The critical decision of whether to marry her off to an unsuspecting Italian family or placing her in an institution (her husband's choice) is not one she wrestles with. The blossoming of young romantic love is overwhelming and her daughter, like everyone else, has a right to taste these fruits. With great satisfaction she feels she's done the right thing.
One has to be cautious not be too judgemental, but despite the happy ending, one is left with an uneasy feeling that the couple's future may not be as rosy as is suggested. (I am no doubt influenced by the knowledge of a similar real life situation which did not fare well.) There is a discrepancy between this complex topic and the feel of the movie itself. Italy and the Italians are portrayed in the same glowing, carefree spirit as many other movies depicting the romantic antics of American's falling in love with locals , ("Come September", "Buona Sera Mrs. Campbell", "Time of the Cuckoo"). But the fact that the poignancy of the story is not compromised is the movie's triumph.
De Havilland gives a layered, knowing, almost underplayed performance. She's simply terrific and possibly the best reason for seeking this one out. The rest of the cast fare pretty well. (George Hamilton is surprisingly competent.) While far from essential, it's a Hollywood oddity with definite interest value.
The story concerns the difficulties in dealing with retarded children. This is a serious, complex topic and one that is a constant challenge to the many families who have to deal with children who are mentally handicapped. A particularly problematic junction is the onset of adulthood for such a child.
The pivotal role in the movie is that of the mother, superbly played by Olivia de Havilland. She focuses on her daughter's inherent kindness and goodness and has a developed a down to earth, decidedly non tragic attitude towards the situation. The critical decision of whether to marry her off to an unsuspecting Italian family or placing her in an institution (her husband's choice) is not one she wrestles with. The blossoming of young romantic love is overwhelming and her daughter, like everyone else, has a right to taste these fruits. With great satisfaction she feels she's done the right thing.
One has to be cautious not be too judgemental, but despite the happy ending, one is left with an uneasy feeling that the couple's future may not be as rosy as is suggested. (I am no doubt influenced by the knowledge of a similar real life situation which did not fare well.) There is a discrepancy between this complex topic and the feel of the movie itself. Italy and the Italians are portrayed in the same glowing, carefree spirit as many other movies depicting the romantic antics of American's falling in love with locals , ("Come September", "Buona Sera Mrs. Campbell", "Time of the Cuckoo"). But the fact that the poignancy of the story is not compromised is the movie's triumph.
De Havilland gives a layered, knowing, almost underplayed performance. She's simply terrific and possibly the best reason for seeking this one out. The rest of the cast fare pretty well. (George Hamilton is surprisingly competent.) While far from essential, it's a Hollywood oddity with definite interest value.