All Movie Guide

A relatively straightforward film about a father dealing with the death of his son, La Stanza Del Figlio was a surprising choice for the coveted Palm d'Or Award at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival. Unlike many past winners, the film is neither arty nor epic in its vision. Its director and star, Nanni Moretti, adds some eccentric bits to his character, Giovanni, in the beginning of the film, none of which are particularly funny. After his son Andrea's (Giuseppe Sanfelice) death a half-hour or so into the film, the tone shifts to how Giovanni and his family attempt to cope with their loss. Some of these scenes are very moving and the film renders a fairly typical, upper-middle-class family's reaction to this horrible event with much tear-inducing skill. But the film is definitely similar to many TV movies about diseases and family deaths. Thankfully, it doesn't drag out its story like TV movies and occasionally rises above those films because of the strength of Moretti's performance, as well as some well-drawn scenes. Still, it is definitely a modest film for such a prestigious award. Adam Bregman

Entertainment Weekly

It takes skill these days, if not nerve, to put a vital, happy nuclear family on screen and to invite us to share in every quiet tremor, every gentle jostle and smile of their steady, deep-flowing contentment. Owen Gleiberman

Washington Post

Surprisingly powerful and universal: the search for meaning and small blessings in the face of life's utter randomness. Desson Howe

Chicago Sun-Times

1/2
Not all movies can be stark, difficult and obscure. Sometimes in a quite ordinary way a director can reach out and touch us. Roger Ebert

Chicago Reader

With tender skill, Moretti illuminates Samuel Beckett's phrase "I can't go on -- I'll go on." Meredith Brody

Product Details

• UPC: 786936198867
• Source: MIRAMAX
• Region Code: 1
• Aspect Ratio: Theatre Wide-Screen (1.85.1)
• Presentation: Wide Screen
• Sound: Dolby Digital Surround
• Language: Italiano, Français
• Subtitles: English
• Time: 1:40:00
• Sales Rank: 5,830

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