The First Beautiful Thing (2010)
"La prima cosa bella" (original title)

A misanthropic professor returns to his hometown to assist his dying mother.

Director:

Paolo Virzì

Writers:

Paolo Virzì (story), Francesco Bruni (story),

Stars:

Valerio Mastandrea, Micaela Ramazzotti, Stefania Sandrelli

14 wins & 28 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Valerio Mastandrea	...	Bruno Michelucci - 2009
Micaela Ramazzotti	...	Anna Nigiotti in Michelucci - 1971-1981
Stefania Sandrelli	...	Anna Nigiotti in Michelucci - 2009
Claudia Pandolfi	...	Valeria Michelucci - 2009
Sergio Albelli	...	Mario Michelucci
Marco Messeri	...	Il Nesi
Fabrizia Sacchi	...	Sandra
Aurora Frasca	...	Valeria Michelucci - Bambina
Giacomo Bibbiani	...	Bruno Michelucci - Bambino
Giulia Burgalassi	...	Valeria Michelucci - 1981
Francesco Rapalino	...	Bruno Michelucci - 1981
Isabella Cecchi	...	Zia Leda Nigiotti
Emanuele Barresi	...	Roberto Lenzi
Dario Ballantini	...	Avvocato Cenerini
Paolo Ruffini	...	Cristiano Cenerini

Storyline

A misanthropic professor returns to his hometown to assist his dying mother.

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Plot Keywords:

contest | beauty | title from song | 1970s | the family | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site [United States]

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

15 January 2010 (Italy)

Also Known As:

A Primeira Coisa Bela

Filming Locations:

Livorno, Tuscany, Italy

Box Office

Budget:

€7,788,176 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Motorino Amaranto, Medusa Film, Indiana Production Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

122 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Italy's official submission to the Best Foreign Language Film category for the 83rd Academy Awards.

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Connections

References Che: Part Two (2008)

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Soundtracks

"Born To Be Alive"
Written by Patrick Hernandez
Performed by Patrick Hernandez

User Reviews

Bellissimo

I recently saw this at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. This film picked up three prestigious Donatello Awards (Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Screenplay) in Italy and is that country's official submission to the 83rd Academy Awards Best Foreign Film category. The story begins in the 1971 when Anna (Michella Ramazzotti), the beautiful wife of Mario (Sergio Albelli) wins a local Mrs. beauty pageant. The jealous Mario eventually throws out Anna and their two children and so begins their journey throughout this film that leads to the present day where the older Anna (Stefania Sandrelli) is dying and her daughter Valeria (Claudia Pandolfi) coaxes her brother Bruno (Valerio Mastanrea), now a professor who has a drug problem and has become estranged from his mother and sister, to pay his last respects while Anna is still alive. Told in a series of flashbacks to the past interwoven very smartly with the present this is a clever film and story with lots of wit and charm and a great cast. Also stars Fabriza Sacchi as Sandra, Anna's estranged sister. Anna stole Sandra's boyfriend Mario and when Mario and Anna split he returned to Sandra. There are lots of interesting subplots and a great supporting cast including the young actors who play Bruno and Valeria in childhood and as teenagers. Paolo Virzi directs this film and his real-life wife Ramazzotti in a family friendly manner where violence and sex are implied and not gratuitous. Nicely shot by veteran cameraman Nicola Pecorini in his feature film debut as a cinematographer. Film veterans Production Designer Tonino Zera, Set Decorator Donato Tieppo and Costume Designer Gabriella Pescucci have a clever collective eye for detail in recreating the flashback scenes of the 1970's and blend them seamlessly with the look of present day with the help of Film Editor Simone Manetti. Writer/Director Virzi wrote the original story for film with the intention of making it seem like it was adapted from a novel help of co-screenwriters Francesco Bruni and Francesco Picolo. Virzi and Ramazzotti were on hand at my screening for a Q&A. I would give this an 8.5 out of 10 and recommend it.