My Brother Is An Only Child
Already a smash in its native Italy, My Brother is an Only Child, which was presented at this year's Cannes and Toronto film festivals, reunites director Daniele Luchetti with longtime collaborators Sandro Petraglia and Stefano Rulli, best known as screenwriters of the highly acclaimed The Best of Youth.
Set in a small Italian town in the '60s and '70s, the film tells the story of two brothers who want to change the world--but in completely different ways. The elder, Manrico, is a handsome, charismatic firebrand who becomes the prime mover in the local Communist party. Accio, the younger, more rebellious brother, finds his own contrarian voice by joining the reactionary Fascists. What starts as a typical tale of sibling rivalry becomes a story of the polarizing and paralyzing politics of those turbulent times. The rift between the brothers is further intensified when Accio realizes that he loves his brother's girlfriend, Francesca, who like everyone else is blind to Manrico's increasingly dangerous ideas.
- Director:
- Daniele Luchetti ('Ginger and Cinnamon', 'Little Teachers')
- Writer:
- Daniele LuchettiSandro PetragliaStefano Rulli
- Cast:
- Elio GermanoRiccardo Scamarcio
Reviews & comments
Review
Not only is this film politically stirring, it also perfectly captures the element of competition that is always present between two brothers. Politically at odds, they then also fall for the same woman, but at the end of the day they are still bound by blood. The actors are ravishingly handsome, and this is an Italy I haven't seen captured on film before....
Village Voice
pressTumultuously shot "rawness" is the stylistic house rule, but it's Elio Germano's Accio who vitalizes the film.
Variety
pressScripted by "The Best of Youth" duo who brought the post-WWII years into stark and moving light, pic offers a warm humor that illuminates the defiant vista of hope even when the proceedings turn tragic.
Variety
pressOffers a warm humor that illuminates the defiant vista of hope even when the proceedings turn tragic.
The New York Times
pressA lively minor addendum to the grand tradition of Italian fraternal cinema.
The Guardian
pressDaniele Luchetti's fluent, heartfelt picture shows the tremendous energy of which contemporary Italian movies are capable.
New Zealand Herald
pressA highly enjoyable Italian family drama with winning performances.
Dominion Post
pressYou can now add My Brother Is An Only Child to the list of films worth avoiding a melanoma for.
BBC
pressAn amusing and engagingly acted film, which respects the contradictions of its characters.
Village Voice
pressTumultuously shot "rawness" is the stylistic house rule, but it's Elio Germano's Accio who vitalizes the film.
Variety
pressScripted by "The Best of Youth" duo who brought the post-WWII years into stark and moving light, pic offers a warm humor that illuminates the defiant vista of hope even when the proceedings turn tragic.
Variety
pressOffers a warm humor that illuminates the defiant vista of hope even when the proceedings turn tragic.
The New York Times
pressA lively minor addendum to the grand tradition of Italian fraternal cinema.
The Guardian
pressDaniele Luchetti's fluent, heartfelt picture shows the tremendous energy of which contemporary Italian movies are capable.
New Zealand Herald
pressA highly enjoyable Italian family drama with winning performances.
Dominion Post
pressYou can now add My Brother Is An Only Child to the list of films worth avoiding a melanoma for.
BBC
pressAn amusing and engagingly acted film, which respects the contradictions of its characters.
Review
Not only is this film politically stirring, it also perfectly captures the element of competition that is always present between two brothers. Politically at odds, they then also fall for the same woman, but at the end of the day they are still bound by blood. The actors are ravishingly handsome, and this is an Italy I haven't seen captured on film...
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