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 & 25 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:

watching tv | years of lead | year 2000 | roman deity | scene of the crime | 

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film is in the Official Top 250 Narrative Feature Films on Letterboxd.

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Goofs

Midnight sun does not take place in November (1966 - beginning of the film) nor during spring (2003 - end of the film), but is visible at the Arctic Circle only from June 12 until July 1.

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Quotes

Andrea Utano: I watch the midnight sun sink towards the horizon, then it stops and doesn't enter the sea. I think of my father, mother, and you, how you've always said that everything is beautiful. I think you were right. Everything is truly beautiful.

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Connections

References The Party (1980)

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Soundtracks

Piano sonata in A minor K 310
Written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performed by Sonia Bergamasco

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

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Italy]

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 USA:

$7,490, 6 March 2005

Gross USA:

$274,024

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,799,773

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