Baarìa

(Giuseppe Tornatore/2009/Italy)

An Italian film that takes inspiration from a load of other Italian films, most notably Amarcord and Cinema Paradiso, Baaria just about gets away with it due to its charm. The first half hour is likecinematic ADHD as the camera flits rapidly from scene to scene building up a sense of the town itself and the host of characters that are the focus of the following couple of hours. It’s well executed and the story in and of itself is ok and keeps you watching as the trials and tribulations of the town and region are reflected through the history of one family. But there’s a lot of de ja vu here too and you can’t help but think you’re watching a patchwork quilt of someone’s favourite bits of those other movies. If you can let that go and allow Baaria bring you along it will tug at the heart and warm it up before the credits roll for sure.

(2.5/5)