Olivia de Havilland is traveling with her daughter in Italy when romance strikes in "The Light in the Piazza," a 1962 film based on the novel by Elizabeth Spencer. The story was also made into a highly successful Broadway musical of the same name. De Havilland's costars include Yvette Mimieux,Barry Sullivan, George Hamilton and Rossano Brazzi.
Because her adult daughter has the mental age of 10, Meg Johnson (de Havilland) keeps very close watch over Clara (Mimieux), a beautiful blonde who, despite her impairment, is very much a woman and attracting a lot of attention in Italy. (This is extremely realistic - blondes do great over there.) In Florence, Clara is pursued relentlessly by an enthusiastic suitor, Fabrizio. His parents (Brazzi and Nancy Nevison) approve of the relationship. What's waiting for Clara back home is an institution, though a good one, that her father (Sullivan) is insisting upon in hopes of rekindling his lost relationship with his wife. Meg is in a dilemma and makes a bold decision.
Set against the magnificent backdrop of Florence and with a beautiful performance by de Havilland, "The Light in the Piazza" is a marvelous film and the story of a perfect love. Though Meg is protective of Clara and always with her, when she sees that her daughter has a chance at a normal life, she lets go - giving both of them a chance at a life they're missing.
One can argue the ethics of Clara's decision but given the Italian scenario: servants in the home, the constant attention of the in-laws, the place of the wife in the home, I believe that Clara will be happy with this loving family. She is mentally impaired due to an accident but that doesn't make her a slow or impaired 10-year-old - she is, in fact, very bright, mastering Italian with ease, and she has all the normal, healthy feelings of a woman. If she has a child's outlook on laughter and fun, that is something to be prized. The most telling moment for me in the film was when Clara asks her mother to read to her "one last time," knowing that her husband is not going to like the kinds of stories Meg reads to her. Then the camera shows one of her beloved stuffed animals on the floor. Clara knows her life is changing; she's in love and ready for it.
De Havilland, one of the truly great film actresses, was 47 at the time of the filming and very attractive. She conveys not only the needed maternal qualities but a womanliness and uncommon strength. "I made the right decision," she whispers at the wedding, looking at her lovely, serene daughter. "I KNOW I did." She will always be available to Clara - but now, she will be available to the rest of her family as well.
Yvette Mimieux does a fine job as Clara, capturing her childishness very well. Hamilton is in his element in the light role of Fabrizio - he wasn't really capable of much more, and this suits him. Rosanno Brazzi is very charming, sexy, and funny as Fabrizio's father. But the film belongs to de Havilland's anchoring performance.
This is a well-directed film, beautiful to look at, with a very touching story. Highly recommended.
Because her adult daughter has the mental age of 10, Meg Johnson (de Havilland) keeps very close watch over Clara (Mimieux), a beautiful blonde who, despite her impairment, is very much a woman and attracting a lot of attention in Italy. (This is extremely realistic - blondes do great over there.) In Florence, Clara is pursued relentlessly by an enthusiastic suitor, Fabrizio. His parents (Brazzi and Nancy Nevison) approve of the relationship. What's waiting for Clara back home is an institution, though a good one, that her father (Sullivan) is insisting upon in hopes of rekindling his lost relationship with his wife. Meg is in a dilemma and makes a bold decision.
Set against the magnificent backdrop of Florence and with a beautiful performance by de Havilland, "The Light in the Piazza" is a marvelous film and the story of a perfect love. Though Meg is protective of Clara and always with her, when she sees that her daughter has a chance at a normal life, she lets go - giving both of them a chance at a life they're missing.
One can argue the ethics of Clara's decision but given the Italian scenario: servants in the home, the constant attention of the in-laws, the place of the wife in the home, I believe that Clara will be happy with this loving family. She is mentally impaired due to an accident but that doesn't make her a slow or impaired 10-year-old - she is, in fact, very bright, mastering Italian with ease, and she has all the normal, healthy feelings of a woman. If she has a child's outlook on laughter and fun, that is something to be prized. The most telling moment for me in the film was when Clara asks her mother to read to her "one last time," knowing that her husband is not going to like the kinds of stories Meg reads to her. Then the camera shows one of her beloved stuffed animals on the floor. Clara knows her life is changing; she's in love and ready for it.
De Havilland, one of the truly great film actresses, was 47 at the time of the filming and very attractive. She conveys not only the needed maternal qualities but a womanliness and uncommon strength. "I made the right decision," she whispers at the wedding, looking at her lovely, serene daughter. "I KNOW I did." She will always be available to Clara - but now, she will be available to the rest of her family as well.
Yvette Mimieux does a fine job as Clara, capturing her childishness very well. Hamilton is in his element in the light role of Fabrizio - he wasn't really capable of much more, and this suits him. Rosanno Brazzi is very charming, sexy, and funny as Fabrizio's father. But the film belongs to de Havilland's anchoring performance.
This is a well-directed film, beautiful to look at, with a very touching story. Highly recommended.