I simply loved this film: saw it by chance in a small art house theater when i used to live in Roma,Italy,about 20 years ago. It had a small release, despite very good reviews, and, even a few Awards, if i do remember well! This movie haunted me, it was truly able to make me feel the pains and loves of its leads, while completely embracing the almost surreal, poetic atmosphere of a lonely full Summer, spent far away from beaches or local resorts! it was very romantic and nostalgic at the same time, splendidly photographed with realistic, yet subliminal images of a breezy, windy suburban city near by Rome, just in the middle of the Summer, when all Italians use (or better: used!) to go on vacations for almost a full month, leaving cities almost deserted, but just because of it, more interesting, somewhat mysterious and romantic. This movie was dealing with the delusions of a young man, with a subtle but intense and insightful narration, also, telling of a very first, maybe impossible love, that a younger couple, connected to the young professor was experiencing, in the splendor of the grass..The man was not afflicted by this, but emotionally challenged, while, at the same time,the coming of age, rich of dreams and Summer's stellar nights,was alternating its heartbeat, with a much less enchanted existential realization,the one of our lonely protagonist.There were also many other small, but key characters, somewhat populating this little enchanted Universe, making of this beautiful little film, an unforgettable gem! I wish i could get to see it again, but it seems to be very obscure,these days, and, certainly, it was quite almost "invisible" back then, even when it came out! Just a few small Cinemas in the main cities of Italy,which showed it for about a week or so, did not make any justice to "IL TUFFO", which, especially in a time, when Italian cinema was sadly falling down to bad, real bad movies, or terribly boring, cliché' TV productions, tried hard to introduce a new valid author and director,cast and crew! But, i don't think this great result helped anyone, much! Since, despite being recognized, the film did not make any business! Unfortunately, Italian films these days seem to be "governed' and "ruled" by a system that does not allow real talent and greater little films (like this one!) to come to the surface, almost to discourage audiences into worse and worse products,or American films!And, instead of pushing good projects, in order to revive the national scene, that was once, one of the greatest,most sensational Films Industries in the World, with memorable artists and masters, seem to let them drown in a sea of bland distrust! Maybe this was not a true masterpiece, but for a first film, it looked ravishing and full of promise! If the French had had a movie like this one,I am sure, its director would have been groomed to become an international sensation! What a pity!
