Childhood Lost and Found in Italian Drama

Read Time:4 Minute, 13 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Misunderstood (Incompreso/Vita col figlio)
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Genre: Drama
Year Released: 1966, 2024 Radiance Films Blu-ray
Runtime: 1h 44m
Director(s): Luigi Comencini
Writer(s): Florence Montgomery (novel,) Leonardo Benvenuti (screenplay,) Piero De Bernardi (screenplay,) Lucia Drudi Demby (collaboration,) Giuseppe Mangione (collaboration)
Cast: Anthony Quayle, Stefano Colagrande, Simone Giannozzi, John Sharp, Adriana Facchetti, Rino Benini, Giorgia Moll, Graziella Granata, Silla Bettini
Where To Watch: available April 30, 2024; pre-order here www.radiancefilms.co.uk, www.mvdshop.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: MISUNDERSTOOD sneaks up on you; it doesn't reach out and beg for your attention with dramatic fanfare. Instead, it captures a more profound, more reflective kind of engagement. At the center of this Italian classic is a tale of two brothers, Andrew (Stefano Colagrande) and Miles (Simone Giannozzi,) who navigate their grief in the shadowy corners of a sprawling Florentine villa. Luigi Comencini directs this narrative with a sensitivity that captures the picturesque setting of Florence and the complex emotional landscapes of its young protagonists.

The villa's imposing architecture becomes more than just a backdrop; Armando Nannuzzi's skilled cinematography embodies the isolation and containment of the boys' sorrow. Each frame contrasts the expansive world with the encroaching confines of adult responsibilities, enhancing the story's depth.

Central to the film is Anthony Quayle's nuanced performance as John Duncombe, a British Consul torn between his official duties and his role as a grieving widower and father. Colagrande and Giannozzi’s performances lean heavily into their interactions with their father, offering a tale that shows striking realism. They delve into the complexities of family dynamics overshadowed by loss. The boys' raw and genuine performances avoid the polish often seen with more well-known actors, adding to the film's authenticity.

Fiorenzo Carpi's score, a series of evocative piano compositions, plays a pivotal role in shaping the film's atmosphere. The music navigates the narrative's emotional core, enhancing the somber mood and complementing the storytelling with its auditory ambiance.

MISUNDERSTOOD explores the theme of unexpressed grief with delicate precision. Andrew, taking on the role of protector for his younger brother, embodies a silent strength that his father misinterprets as indifference. This misunderstanding forms the core of the film's conflict, illustrating the often silent but profound struggles that lie beneath the surface of family life.

Uncle Will, portrayed by John Sharp, adds a lighter touch to the narrative's heavier themes. His whimsical story about Nigerian emissaries provides some much-needed comic relief. It highlights the stark contrast between childhood naivety and the grim realities of adulthood.

Despite its themes that could easily veer into melodrama, MISUNDERSTOOD maintains a commendable restraint. Comencini's direction ensures the film unfolds with elegance and honesty, culminating in a climax that resonates deeply without resorting to sentimentality.

MISUNDERSTOOD invites viewers into a reflective dialogue about the essence of childhood and the inevitable intrusion of growing up. This film captures the visual and emotional essence of its Italian setting and offers a profound commentary on the fragile dynamics within family life. It is a significant piece of cinema for its narrative and in-depth exploration of the often misunderstood emotions that weave through the human experience.

Bonus Materials
LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:
New 2024 2K restoration from the original negative
Uncompressed mono PCM audio
Interview with co-screenwriter Piero De Bernardi and Cristina Comenicini, the director's daughter and herself a noted filmmaker (2008, 36 mins)
Interview with legendary critic Michel Ciment (2021, 24 mins)
A Child's Heart – a visual essay by David Cairns on Comencini and the filmmaker's affinity for childhood stories (2023, 25 mins)
Trailer
Newly translated English subtitles
Reversible sleeve featuring designs based on original promotional materials
Limited edition booklet featuring new writing by critic Manuela Lazic and a newly translated archival interview with Comencini

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[photo courtesy of RADIANCE FILMS, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]

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