Days and Clouds (2007)

A well-off and sophisticated couple struggles to stay together after the husband loses his job.

Director:

Silvio Soldini

Writers:

Silvio Soldini (story), Doriana Leondeff (story)

Stars:

Margherita Buy, Antonio Albanese, Giuseppe Battiston

6 wins & 35 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Margherita Buy	...	Elsa
Antonio Albanese	...	Michele
Giuseppe Battiston	...	Vito
Alba Rohrwacher	...	Alice
Carla Signoris	...	Nadia
Fabio Troiano	...	Riki
Paolo Sassanelli	...	Salviati
Arnaldo Ninchi	...	Padre di Michele
Teco Celio	...	Ragionier Terzetti
Antonio Carlo Francini	...	Luciano
Carlo Scola	...	Fabrizio
Alberto Giusta	...	Roberto
Orietta Notari	...	Signora Carminati
Nicoletta Maragno	...	Restauratrice
Arianna Comes	...	Apprendista restauro

Storyline

Manager Michele lost his job but didn't tell his wife Eve, who was completing her art history PhD. Michele ponders whether to accept quickly a less lucrative job or hope for a better one. He opts to look for a higher paying job, in an attempt to retain their upper-middle class status and lifestyle, but is disappointed time and time again. Eventually, they are forced to sell their home and rent an apartment in a working class neighborhood. Meanwhile, she is forced to take two part-time jobs, and stop her volunteer work restoring a fresco. As the reality of their new working-class status emerges, they struggle to hold onto their sense of selves and their relationship.

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Plot Keywords:

party | gift | dinner | 

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Taglines:

Brilliant... Striking!

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

Italy Switzerland France

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

11 July 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Days and Clouds

Filming Locations:

Genoa, Liguria, Italy

Box Office

Budget:

€300,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$16,707, 13 July 2008, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$109,269, 9 November 2008

Company Credits

Production Co:

Amka Films Productions,Lumière & Company,Radiotelevisione Svizzera Italiana (RTSI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min 115 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

UN DISCO DEI PLATTERS
(A.V.Savona - G.Giacobetti)
© Edizioni Chappell S.r.l. / Fonit Cetra Music Publishing S.r.l.
cantata dal Quartetto Cetra

User Reviews

Accomplished film deals with a currently relevant topic

Elsa and Michele are living a comfortable upper middle class life in Genoa ... until Michele is forced out of the company he co-founded. This film examines the effect this event has on Elsa, Michele, their daughter Alice, and their friends. If you are a middle aged person with a good income, then this film will probably touch a raw nerve, since you would have to feel that this could happen to you; if this has happened to you, then you will likely doubly feel the pain.

The film is brutally honest as it shows how Elsa and Michele give up their comforts one step at a time. After Elsa recovers from the initial shock, she is quite practical in looking for work, any kind of work. But it's different for Michele. He has been used to being the breadwinner and deals with serious issues like humiliation, wounded pride, and feelings of worthlessness--one day he was a key player in his work and family and the next day he feels he is nothing. He is so embarrassed that he cannot even reveal the truth to his daughter until she makes an independent discovery of it. Friendships are severely impacted. What has happened to Michele and Elsa has happened to thousands since the economic downturn and their reactions are not atypical, but their story is laid out here in a very affecting manner.

Antonio Albanese (as Michele) and Margherita Buy (as Elsa) turn in very believable performances. No great tricks in cinematography or time sequencing, just straightforward, solid filmmaking.

Life goes on and people cope, but I think it would be difficult to watch this film without responding to its intense emotional content. No matter what your status, it's always hard to take several steps back. Money, work, and status are important and, as illustrated in this film, I think it is the unusual person who can withstand a serious blow in any one of those areas and come out the better for it.