Conformity Is Challenged in Striking Narrative

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MOVIE REVIEW
Amanda
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Genre: Drama, Comedy
Year Released: 2023
Runtime: 1h 33m
Director(s): Carolina Cavalli
Writer(s): Carolina Cavalli
Cast: Benedetta Porcaroli, Galatea Bellugi, Giovanna Mezzogiorno, Michele Bravi
Language: Italian with English subtitles
Where To Watch: opens theatrically July 7, 2023, in NYC (IFC Center) and LA (Laemmle Royal) from Oscilloscope

RAVING REVIEW: Join us on a cinematic excursion to the picturesque landscapes of northern Italy as we get to experience Carolina Cavalli’s debut film, AMANDA. This film brings us up close and personal with the film's leading lady, the charismatic Benedetta Porcaroli, in the role of Amanda. This spirited 24-year-old, smothered by the wealth and riches of her family, is on a quest for love and companionship, an adventure filled with romantic high jinks. However, her assertive and independent nature turns away potential suitors, thrusting her into self-imposed solitary confinement. A chance encounter with a long-lost friend acts as a catalyst, reawakening forgotten memories and sparking an urge within Amanda to reconnect with her past.

After a brief stint in the city of love, Paris, Amanda retraces her steps back to her roots, falling back into the world of her parents. The journey of transitioning into adulthood, dealing with intricate family bonds, wrestling with personal quirks, and navigating the maze of social dynamics, becomes a quintessential part of her existence. This chaotic whirlpool of life events casts her into isolation, with Rebecca (Galatéa Bellugi,) her childhood confidante, serving as her sole ray of hope.

In the vein of a coming-of-age drama, AMANDA's narrative seems like a film reel straight out of an American teenage drama. Even though some of the cast looks older than the ages they’re portraying, the experience of the film's narrative overcomes that obstacle. Despite being surrounded by bourgeois affluence, the story attempts to deviate from the standard of its social class. They somehow allow everyone to feel at home in this world.

Amanda, the central figure of the film, takes societal expectations head-on. Her counter-cultural actions and dialogue echo her non-conformist approach toward life. Porcaroli's stellar enactment of Amanda strikes a chord with the audience, transitioning from a resonant portrayal to a deep-rooted empathetic connection.

Life's dull daily routine and her surroundings' mundane chatter make Amanda yearn for more. In her mind, her social interactions feel insipid, her wardrobe monotonous. This becomes the crux of Cavalli's debut, AMANDA, which had its grand premiere at the 79th Venice Film Festival's Extra Horizons section.

The film cleverly deploys Amanda as an instrument to criticize the bourgeoisie class, a community she is paradoxically a part of. As the film's trajectory swerves away from conventional norms, Amanda's spontaneous and intuitive character comes into the spotlight. The ensemble cast, including Galatéa Bellugi playing Rebecca and other characters crossing Amanda's path, reinforces the film's primary message.

Dissecting AMANDA involves delving into the intricately designed narrative structure, compelling character sketches, and visually stunning scenes. Cavalli's venture is fearless in presenting a daring protagonist who challenges the norms, even if they form the foundation of her existence.

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[photo courtesy of OSCILLOSCOPE LABORATORIES]