Genova (2008)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

Michael Winterbottom

Writers:

Laurence Coriat (screenplay)
Michael Winterbottom (screenplay)

Release Date:

27 March 2009 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A man moves his two daughters to Italy after their mother dies in a car accident, in order to revitalize their lives. Genova changes all three of them as the youngest daughter starts to see the ghost of her mother, while the older one discovers her sexuality. |

Plot Keywords:

Italy | Ghost | Genoa Italy | Mother Daughter Relationship | Feelings Of Guilt

Awards:

2 wins

Cast

Monica Bennati	...	Elena
Dante Ciari	...	Fabio
Gherardo Crucitti	...	Mauro
Hope Davis	...	Marianne
Colin Firth	...	Joe
Alessandro Giuggioli	...	Lorenzo
Demetri Goritsas	...	Steve
Kyle Griffin	...	Scott
Perla Haney-Jardine	...	Mary
Willa Holland	...	Kelly
Catherine Keener	...	Barbara
Kieran O'Brien
Margherita Romeo	...	Rosa
Gabriella Santinelli	...	Danny's Wife
Kerry Shale	...	Stephen
Sara Stewart	...	Susanna
Trevor White	...	Michael
Gary Wilmes	...	Dan

Runtime:

Canada:94 min (Toronto International Film Festival)

Country:

UK

Language:

Italian | English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Ireland:15A | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Portugal:M/12 | Netherlands:12 | Finland:K-11 | South Korea:15 | UK:15 | Singapore:NC-16 | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Camogli, Genoa, Liguria, Italy

Company:

Revolution Films

Goofs:

Factual errors: On their way from the airport, when they pass in the car in front of a fresco of Saint George fighting against the dragon, Ms. Keener says that Saint George is the Saint Patron of Genova. Now, it's true that Saint George has a strong link to the history of the city: the banner bears the cross of Saint George, in the middle ages the Bank which funded expeditions overseas (by the way it's the building that shows the fresco seen in the movie) was named after Saint George etc. but the Patron of Genova, since XIII century, is John the Baptist and he came to be after Genoese crusaders (First crusade) brought back from Holy Land his ashes, which are still kept in the Cathedral.

Where's The Cat?

Had I been in some kind of stupor when I watched this film I could easily have been forgiven for thinking I had been invited to Mr. Winterbottom's home to watch his family holiday film while on holiday in Genova. Had this been the case I would have been looking for a cat to stroke withing the first fifteen minutes. Well..that's what I normally do when I am subjected to total boredom. I would have then sipped the remains of my drink and made a polite exit.

This film is mind numbingly boring. Straight away you see a flight from Chicago to Genova via RyanAir. Since when did RyanAir fly from Chicago? Oops sponsorship! As for the film proper. Not much to say really. Shot on a cheap camera with cheap sound it centres around beach shots, shopping shots, lots and lots of alleyway shots. numerous shots of people on scooters, a car collision which looked like it had been done by retired stunt men, a few shots about candles being lit and nice cuddly family scenes. Add a little Italian into the stew and that's it.

Ignore any pretencion about sub-plots. There aren't any. There is no drama. It's a film that goes nowhere because it doesn't have a starting point. It could have been made by a group of students on their first year film course.

Next time I watch a film about Italy or based around Italy I shall make sure it has the stamp of an Italian director. Mr. Winterbottom has now entered my 'Must Avoid' list.

Truly awful. Minus 10

Now where's my cat?