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RESPIRO Send This Review to a Friend
"Respiro," an Italian import written and directed by Emanuele Crialese and set on an island off Sicily, is reminiscent of Italian neo-realist films of the post-World War II period. Valeria Golino gives a strong performance as the troubled Grazia, who is a dutiful wife and mother, but who behaves strangely. She is given to outbursts, and it is clear that she needs help. She manages to function, although she is the subject of island gossip. Her husband loves her and is patient with her, up to a point.
A crisis occurs when there is a move to send her away for psychological help, and she rebels. Her eldest son is determined to protect her and hides her in a cave, but it is assumed that she has drowned. The drama unfolds with great beauty and sensitivity, meshed with the natural surroundings and the passions that erupt. Crialese, who was born in Rome, studied at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.
Vincenzo Amato gives an earthy performance as Grazia's husband Pietro, and Francesco Casisa is excellent as her son Pasquale, with Filippo Pucillo doing some picture stealing as his younger brother. But this is really Golino's film as far as the acting department is concerned. She is striking to look at and presents an indelible portrait of a desperate woman in trouble and a person with whom one can sympathize.
Beyond that, the atmosphere that Crialese creates in establishing the tone of island life is a vital ingredient. The film is so strong as realism, and yet at the conclusion there is an ethereal, lyrical touch that lifts the film to another plane, but without losing the overall sense of credibility. "Respiro," which was showcased at the 2003 New Directors/New Films series in New York is an exquisite job of filmmaking. A Sony Pictures Classics release.
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