The Big Dream

Presented as an important recollection from one of the leading Italian filmmakers, Michele Placido but the truth is that "Il Grande Sogno" (The Big dream) is merely a TV movie with lots of pretenses. Using 1968 as the starting point for a personal epiphany is not merely provocative but also intriguing and exciting. Unfortunately what comes across is a parade of prototypes repeating slogans in a sadly uninspired telling of what feels like a false memory. Riccardo Scamarcio the golden boy of the moment confirms once more that he has, still, a long way to go before he becomes an actor to be reckon with. Luca Argentero, somehow, has an immediacy and a sympathy that makes it easier and more pleasurable to connect with. Jasmine Trinca is a lovely presence on the screen in a character who is very superficially drawn but that she manages to inject with some truth. Michele Placido must decide, sooner or later, what kind of director he wants to be. This was presented like a very personal yarn but feels just like a job. Sluggish and rushed. Very disappointing.