I’m happy so many readers enjoyed the first installment in my Favorite Italian Films series last week with Lisa Fantino’s review of Under the Tuscan Sun. That’s one of my favorites! This week Katie Greenaway from Olio di Oliva e Sogni di Vino is here to tell us about one of her favorite films in Italian – L’Ultimo Bacio. (By the way, have you checked out Katie’s beautiful new blog design? Head on over there!) Thanks, Katie, for adding a new film to my must see list!
Welcome, Katie!
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One of the first Italian movies I ever saw, “L’Ultimo Bacio” (The Last Kiss) was truly a blast into the Italian language. The story of Carlo and Giulia starts off full of love and energy. Giulia announces to her family that she is pregnant and the wheels in Carlo’s head start to run wild. Suddenkly, he feels his life is being controlled by this commitment and this baby. He starts to second guess his relationship and even buying a house with Giulia. His friends start to paint him a picture of what his life will be like after the baby is born. Adriano, with a baby boy already, scares Carlo white with all that he is dealing with his wife and baby. Paolo is in the middle of a breakup and can’t seem to move on from it. He tries to convince all his friends to run away from Italy to a distant land. Alberto is the free spirit of the group and is enjoying sleeping with anything that moves.
Following all different story lines you’ll see a common theme. What if I chose a different path? Each character is in a crises and they try to go down a different path. What if I was never with her? What if I never stayed with him this long? What if I just leave this place, will things be much better? Why does my life seem to be over now that she is pregnant? I’m too young to be a father. I don’t want to be a father anymore. Although this movie depicts mostly the male’s point of view, I am sure there are plenty of women that have similar emotions brewing on the subject of babies and marriage. I feel that the men in this movie bring a true viewpoint of what men go through when confronted with these issues and questions about love, family and commitment.
The performances by the main characters made me love this movie even more. When Giulia, played by Giovanna Mezzogiorno, yells and screams at Carlo, played by Stefano Accorsi, with a knife in her hand, it gave me chills. I believed her 110%. You can feel the flames shooting out her eyes with fury. Even I was afraid of her!
I love this movie because it shows real situations in real relationships with real issues. Each relationship is examined and some are resolved, some are not. However, I won’t spoil the movie for you!
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Katie Greenaway is a freelance travel writer and is the Local Expert of Florence for Nile Guide where she also provides the secrets of Florence on her blog. She writes about her life in Florence on her personal blog Olio di Oliva e Sogni di Vino and contributes to MNUI Travel Insurance with travel articles.
Great review, Katie. I've never seen this movie, either, but like Laura, am going to add it to my list. I'm interested to see how those themes play out (the ones you mentioned … all of thee "what ifs … "
I think about stuff like that all of the time. (Maybe all of us expats do?), especially the scariest of all – what if I'd never gone to Disney, which lead me to Paris, which lead me to Peppe … which lead me here to southern Italy.
It is interesting to look back and see how one seemingly small decision really did effect your life years down the road.
Cherrye at My Bella Vita
http://my-bellavita.com
Oooooh sounds super good! Gonna see if Netflix has it.
Ciao Cherrye! I like reviews that leave you wanting to watch the movie to find out happens. 🙂 I do think we expats tend to ponder those "What it?" questions since so many of us have had experiences similar to yours. What if I didn't go on that vacation with my Mom to the Amalfi Coast three and a half years ago? 🙂
Ciao Andi! Oh, lucky you with Netflix. Look forward to hearing what you think of the film!
This is a fun movie and the soundtrack is wonderful. I love the guy with the dreds.
Ciao Carmie! Thanks so much for stopping by and introducing me to your fun blog The Single Nester. I love your attitude and approach to life! I look forward to following your blog. 🙂
Hey there ! cIAO ! , i saw this movie (l’ultimo bacio) earlier and liked the characters and story a lot.
Sorry but i wanted to know (since iam not italian) there is this scene when one of the friends dad dies and this women in the church is singing this
melody/symphony on mary….Can you tell me who the author/artist is ?
Thanks. (aeiyan@gmail.com)
Hello, I’m sorry that I can’t help here, but I haven’t seen this movie before. This was a guest post and unfortunately I haven’t caught the movie myself yet … but it looks good!