The Best of Youth (2003)

An Italian epic that follows the lives of two brothers, from the 1960s to the 2000s.

Director:

Marco Tullio Giordana

Writers:

Sandro Petraglia, Stefano Rulli

Stars:

Luigi Lo Cascio, Alessio Boni, Jasmine Trinca

33 wins & 24 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Luigi Lo Cascio	...	Nicola Carati
Alessio Boni	...	Matteo Carati
Adriana Asti	...	Adriana Carati
Sonia Bergamasco	...	Giulia Monfalco
Fabrizio Gifuni	...	Carlo Tommasi
Maya Sansa	...	Mirella Utano
Valentina Carnelutti	...	Francesca Carati
Jasmine Trinca	...	Giorgia Esposti
Andrea Tidona	...	Angelo Carati
Lidia Vitale	...	Giovanna Carati
Claudio Gioè	...	Vitale Micavi
Paolo Bonanni	...	Luigino
Giovanni Scifoni	...	Berto
Riccardo Scamarcio	...	Andrea Utano
Camilla Filippi	...	Sara Carati

Storyline

Nicola and Matteo Carati are two brothers of Rome, who live the years from 1966 to 2000 and all the events which have signed this period. They begin their adventure, helping Giorgia, a young girl confined in an asylum. Then, after the flood of Florence, Nicola meets Giulia a talented piano player with a dangerous sympathy for the BR. Matteo, a rebel spirit entered in the police, will find the optimistic photographer Mirella. These four characters and many others will cross the years of terrorism and Tangentopoli.

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Plot Keywords:

1980s | 1970s | watching tv | years of lead | 20th century | 

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Taglines:

The possibilities were endless...

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and brief nudity

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian English Norwegian

Release Date:

20 June 2003 (Italy)

Also Known As:

The Best of Youth

Filming Locations:

Florence, Tuscany, Italy

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

€44,759 (Italy), 22 June 2003, Limited Release

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,490, 6 March 2005, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$254,224, 4 July 2005

Company Credits

Production Co:

BiBi Film, Rai Fiction, Film Commission Torino-Piemonte

Technical Specs

Runtime:

366 min (two parts) 95 min (4 episodes) (TV)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Originally developed as a miniseries for television. It was then released in cinemas in June 2003 as two three-hour films after the uncut six-hour version had been screened to great acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival. Because of the films's success, it was eventually shown on Italian TV as originally intended, in 4 parts, in November 2003.

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Goofs

In the scene where Mirella is driving the boat out of Sicily, the bottom of another white boat can be seen when the camera focuses on Andrea.

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Quotes

Sara Carati, adult: What should I do?
Nicola Carati: I don't know, it depends on how strong you feel... Are you happy now?
Sara Carati, adult: Of course I am!
Nicola Carati: Then, it's time to be generous

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Connections

References The Godfather (1972)

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Soundtracks

Two-Part Invention No. 2 in C minor, BWV 773
Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach

User Reviews

Beautiful and touching family story

I saw this movie a couple of weeks ago. Actually, you can't call it a movie because it's much more than that, it is a kind of mini-series. "La Meglio Gioventu" tells the story of two brothers: Matteo and Niccola. It starts when they are both about 18 years old; two young idealist who want to discover and change the world. What follows is partly Italian history, but mainly the personal history of the two brothers, growing up and finding their way through life.

This is one of the most beautiful, touching and human stories of the latest years. I enjoyed seeing this very much. Six hours may seem a long time but it isn't to tell a story of 50 years. It is wonderful to see both brothers growing up and changing.

The acting is excellent and the story is touching; the director has eye for detail and he manages the capture life in a very unique way. I can only advise everyone to see this. Outstanding! 9/10