| HeraldNet - Snohomish County's online news source |
 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2010 2:32 pm |
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Entertainment 
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'Days and Clouds': Italian film examines the collapse of a lifestyle Maybe the economic collapse hit Italy early, or maybe filmmaker Silvio Soldini saw it coming. Whichever, Soldini's 2007 film "Days and Clouds," opening here for a week, is an absorbing look at what happens when the roof falls in.The film follows a middle-aged couple, Elsa (Margherita Buy) and Michele (Antonio Albanese), who live a very comfortable life in Genoa. The movie begins with Elsa finishing her doctorate on art history and restoration, a pleasant hobby for someone who can afford it. But Michele informs her that he has actually been out of work for months, forced out by the company he founded. And suddenly they find themselves in a spiral, unable to find comparable work and forced to sell their condo for a much smaller apartment. The drudgery of job-hunting and settling for less is what the movie's about. It's hardly a simple issue film: The specific personalities of the two people shape the outcome. Michele's stubborn pride short-circuits some opportunities (at times turning him into an immature layabout), while Elsa's disbelief and anger lead her into temptation. Soldini, who made the crowd-pleaser "Bread and Tulips," is intent on following these two with an almost documentary-like, neorealist sincerity. The film is so ceaseless in its depiction of one frustration after another it reminded me of Will Smith's trials in "The Pursuit of Happyness," which coincidentally or not was directed by another Italian filmmaker, Gabriele Muccino. Probably "Days and Clouds" goes on longer than it needs to make its point. Soldini's approach in making this experience real and ordinary is sound, but after a certain point it all begins to feel … ordinary. The two leads are better than ordinary, for sure. Margherita Buy is especially good at being completely without affectation; a mid-40s woman who looks quite happily de-glamorized, she makes you believe the different stages of shock, resignation and determination. As a parable of people learning to let go of unimportant luxuries and re-connect with essentials, "Days and Clouds" doesn't announce itself as escapist entertainment. But it will seem relevant to what a lot of folks are (and will be) going through as the economic bubble continues to deflate. |
- A revolutionary 747
- Fire breaks out at Everett car dealer
- Everett rethinks boutique wineries
- A tidy lawn could be law in Lynnwood
- Snohomish County's bargain housing won't last
- Boeing's 747-8 takes off after weather delay
- Plan for I-5 closures this week
- A new bowling alley for Monroe?
- Lake Stevens man homeless after fire
- I-5 bridge joint may give you a jolt, but it isn't damaged
- Vote on school levies by Tuesday
(11) - A tidy lawn could be law in Lynnwood (10)
- Everett police officers cleared in 2008 shooting death (5)
- 1949 travel aid shows how few places blacks were welcome in Washington (4)
- I-5 bridge joint may give you a jolt, but it isn't damaged (4)
- Everett rethinks boutique wineries (4)
- County archive software paid for but waiting for set-up (3)
- Three politicians who want Gregoire's job in 2012 (3)
- Toyota has powerful D.C. friends (3)
- Snohomish County's bargain housing won't last (3)
- Edmonds educator, famous announcer dies
- Mill Creek to appeal ruling on annexation
- Through the air, with the greatest of ease
- E-W thriving under new coach
- The path to citizenship
- EUUC puts on ‘Pants & Shoes’
- Wolfpack wins the ‘Battle'
- Lynnwood’s annexation plans OK’d
- Arlington's Cascade Valley Hospital celebrates expansion, national award and 100 years of service
- Business Licences Feb. 2010
- Technology tips for launching your own business
- Business Events Feb. 2010
- Tech Talk: No excuse today for going without a Web site
- State already raising fees and rates that restrict business growth
- Some legislators again targeting people’s initiative petition rights
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