Italian for Beginners

Rating:
Summary: Not quite what I expected
Review: "Italian For Beginners" is a Danish film about a motley group of people who gather together for an Italian class. Each person has a reason for being there--loneliness, desire for change, attraction to another student, etc.

I found the "hand-held" camera shots distracting and annoying, but I stuck with the film because the characters were all interesting. The film was actually quite a bit depressing (I'd read several magazine reviews that described the film as a "light comedy". The reviewers on Amazon were much more accurate!) I had the impression that the film was about a bunch of Danes who left their Nordic homeland and whooped it up with zany adventures in Italy. This was not the case! There are a few deaths, and most of the characters have depressing lives--this is all alleviated by the film's finale--a trip to Italy.

The film really doesn't offer any new great insights into the meaning of life, the universe and the rest of it, but it was worth watching just for the cultural differences. I did find it hilarious that the perception seems to be that Italy is so wild that one can just have sex in an alley in broad daylight on a clean mattress that happens to be handy!

Rating:
Summary: romantic escape of danish middle class people
Review: 6 desperate people are taking an italian class in order to forget their past and to go on with their unhappy lives. the dogma style is adapted, but the frames are not as shaky as the idiots or celebration.
some parts are funny, but also intend to make the viewer think about their own life.
my favorite character is the sport fanatic who's language and role contribute a great part to the comedy. all 6 people develop a great character and have their individual charisma

Rating:
Summary: Fabulous!
Review: A friend had been raving about this movie, so I finally saw it. It begins with the arrival of a temporary minister, then folds in the reception clerk at the hotel he is staying at, the clerk's best friend, the best friend's co-worker at a restaurant, a hairdresser, and a bakery clerk who all end up taking a beginners class on the Italian language. As their lives become entwined outside of the class, revelations about death, truth, relationships, and communication become apparent through very "normal" characters.

I liked this movie because, while there were a few extreme situations, most of the conflicts that occur are everyday conflicts. The fact that connections through an Italian language class reveal so many different facets of life is refreshing. There is little to distract from the stories, no special effects, no music, no extravagant costumes, allowing the real story to emerge.

Rating:
Summary: Splendid
Review: After reading some of these revives I doubted a bit about buying this movie...But to my luck I didn't hesitate and I can only say that I loved it, and one of the things I found really interesting and wonderful was that you feel like you are really watching other people, it has the touché of documentary and its all made in a way so its not this high glam, whom has the most money race'''its honest and sweet, and down to earth.
And I can only recommend it!!! Especially if you love movies, and maybe liked some of the other Danish productions like Festen.

Rating:
Summary: Misleading marketing, excellent movie
Review: As usual, ingore the wildly off-base U.S. Marketing campaign. The coverbox here - sexy female legs in an exotically supine position - is both misleading and insulting. This movie spends 92%+ of its time in a provincial Danish town. The subjects are death, loneliness, and breaking out of that loneliness via tentatively made connections. It's a brilliantly done movie by Dogme 95 adherent Lone Scherfig. Consider it 'von Trier light,' but that cover box is bound to set up some for disappointment.

The Dogme style gives you a freshness you don't see in many Hollywood movies. In fact, 'Italian for Beginners' could almost pass for a home video (albeit one recorded by your Danish relatives).

For you Dogme fans:

- Pastor 'Andreas' is Anders Berthelsen, who played lead Kresten so memorably in 'Mifune.'

- Stadium restaurant manager Halfinn is 'Mifune' star Iben Hjejle's live-in partner.

- Ann Eleonora Jorgensen as Karen is - other than this movie - unknown to American audiences. A shame. Somebody hire this lady.

Rating:
Summary: Watching Paint Dry for Beginners
Review: Back in the early '90s, when I was tooling about making home movies as a lark, and NEVER taking any of it seriously, I had NO idea that I had actually stumbled upon a method of filmmaking that very soon would be touted as THE method of the true, bona fide "auteur" (or, more accurately according to the tenets of the "method" used in this film, the "ANTI-auteur"), and that one day I would be watching "Italian for Beginners," directed by (well, credit for the directing cannot be given, as it would be against the "rules," which I will get to in a moment) and filmed in much the same-- in fact, the EXACT same-- style that I had employed back in what I now know were MY "auteur" (excuse me; my "ANTI-auteur") days. But having watched this film, the evidence is irrefutable; I know, because I've just finished watching the movies I shot back then with my trusty camcorder to get a comparison. And all I can say now is: "STAND ASIDE AND GIVE ME ROOM-- I'M ON MY WAY TO SUNDANCE!"

In 1995, Danish filmmakers Lars Von Trier and Thomas Vinterberg developed a new (?) filmmaking technique, for which they co-wrote a back-to-basics guide entitled "Dogma 95," a manifesto for filmmakers who, by adhering to the rules set forth in the text, would become a part of the "newest" new wave to hit the industry, subsequently referred to as the "Cinema of Poverty," and with good reason.

If you're thinking of giving this film a go, before you watch it you MUST know something about Dogma 95 to have a chance in the hot place of making it through to the end. There are ten "rules" set forth in the manifesto, as well as an addendum, a handful of items tacked on (afterthoughts?), such as "I am no longer an artist" (which after watching this film I fully understand and agree with). But the main things (rules) you must know going in are these: The movie must be filmed on location, with only a hand-held camera and using only whatever light is naturally available. And "music must not be used unless it occurs where the scene is being shot." (Somewhat contradictorily, two of Von Trier's subsequent films were musicals; his disclaimer: "The rules are not meant to 'limit' creativity, but to 'spur it on'). Rule #10 states: "The director must not be credited." In retrospect, the wisdom of THIS rule is beyond reproach.

There IS some substance to this story, imbued as it is with elements of classic Bergman as it examines "loss" on a number of levels through the lives of a small, diverse group of individuals in various stages of disenfranchisement. Their common denominator is the class in, well...Italian for beginners, to which they seemingly gravitate, each with their own specific reasons and motivations. The class becomes a kind of focal point for them; it is here that relationships are formed or honed, and their lives begin to intersect. Now, had only Bergman been on hand to direct them.

These are everyday folks, just going about the business of living; and quite frankly, they aren't all that interesting, nor are their respective stories. The group includes Hal-Finn (Lars Kaalund), an obnoxious restaurant employee who hasn't as yet caught on to the "customer/employee" dynamic-- he's self-absorbed, rude and insufferable; Jorgen (Peter Gantzler) lacks self confidence; Karen (Ann Eleonora Jorgensen) a hairdresser who never seems to be able to finish a client (Hal-Finn is in her chair at least three times, but never gets past the hair-wetting phase before some crisis or other calls Karen away, sending poor Hal-Finn away each time with a wet head and no haircut); Olympia (Anette Stovelbaek) who works in a bakery, where no doubt she sells danish (pun intended; I have nothing to lose at this point); and Andreas (Anders W. Berthelsen), a pastor who has taken a temporary assignment six months after the death of his wife. But listening to the thoughts (and I intentionally do not use the term "ideas" here) of a randomly selected group of postal employees on the dock at 3 a.m. at the post office would be intrinsically more interesting than anything that occurs in this film. Berthelsen, especially, spends the entire movie looking confused, like he's a contestant on Jeopardy! but can't figure out why Alex keeps giving him the answers instead of the questions. Or maybe he's just trying to understand what he's doing in this film to begin with. Where, oh where, is Ingmar when you need him?

On a positive note, the performances here are for the most part quite natural, if not engaging. Kaalund, at least, makes a lasting impression with a character reminiscent of Rutger Hauer's Eric Vonk in "Turkish Delight" (aka "Turk's Fruit"), from 1973; perhaps that's why Hal-Finn is always getting in "Dutch" with his boss (again, pun intended).

The supporting cast includes Sara Indrio Jensen (Giulia), Jesper Christensen (Olympia's Father), Lene Tiemroth (Karen's Mother) and Carlo Barsotti (Marcello). There are those who are going to like, even applaud, this film; personally, I'd rather watch paint dry. To connect with this film one has to be able to embrace, or at least get beyond, the whole Dogma 95 thing. I couldn't. Okay, perhaps I just don't "get" it; to this day I still don't get the Andy Warhol "soup can" deal, either. Just know that "Italian for Beginners" is definitely NOT going to be for everyone. I do find it interesting that the "rules" are also referred to as the filmmakers "Vows of chastity," and that in reviews of Dogma 95 films the terms "chaste," "austere" and "pure" always seem to surface. In the great scheme of things I know it means something; what it is, I don't know. But bear in mind that the manifesto also states, "Furthermore I swear as a director to refrain from personal taste!" And with that, I rest my case.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Example of a Dogma Film
Review: Beware the myopic reviews by certain others here: they do not get the Dogma film movement and, more importantly, they do not get this film. With its emphasis on the acting--and not special effects, smarmy scores, or other cinematic sleight of hand--the Dogma film compels us to focus on _character._ «Italian for Beginners» does just that, focusing our attention on some lonely Danish singles who find not only refuge but togetherness in their attraction to all things Italian. The great accomplishment of the film's director, Lone Scherfig, is her ability to transfer very specifically Danish cultural aspects to a broader audience. Along the way you get both hilarious and touchingly sad moments and fine acting, all around. Merely to watch the talented Anders Berthelsen's facial expressions or Peter Gantzler's timing is worth the entire price of admission. An excellent film from Denmark.

Rating:
Summary: This is real life!!
Review: By reading the other reviews, I can see that I was ahead of the game as I already knew that this was not an Italian movie about sexy women! This was my third Dogme movie and in my opinion, the best. It takes me a few seconds to forget that handheld cameras are in use.
I love the respectful way these people are presented despite all their "faults". Whether it's an extraordinarily clumsy person, a shy middle-aged bachelor or a lonely priest, you can feel that the director isn't out to ridicule anyone.
It's touching, sad, sweet and REAL and I'll be watching it again and again.

Rating:
Summary: Slow, clumsy, awkward "unforgettable romantic comedy"
Review: Charmed by the premise -- Italian for beginners -- with a snapshot of Venice prominently featured on the package, led on by the reviews from credible media: "funny", "seductive", "delightful", my wife and I suffered through what can only be called this mislabeled "romantic comedy" that is "warm and playful".

Dark and cold in its approach, with death and strange characters populating this small corner of Denmark, "romance" and "comedy" were almost entirely absent, save precious, brief, slapstick moments. The crazed older minister and his young, temporary replacement, the clumsy bakery worker, the impotent desk clerk, the foul-mouthed restaurant manager, and the virginal Italian restaurant worker make up an odd and, only in rare instances, charming group. A hairdresser fails in three attempts to cut the manager's hair. This offers some hint as to how the movie dragged and dragged.

We stuck it out to the end, when the gang finally makes it to Italy. By then, the hand-held camera, choppy editing, abbreviated subtitles, and dialogue moving between Italian and Danish had sorely tested our patience. Change the title to "A cold day in Denmark". This film is only for the person seduced by misleading packaging, subtitles, and foreign directors who use death to evoke 'passion'. The film's tag line, "Attendance optional, passion required," should have told me something.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding comedy/drama from Denmark
Review: From Denmark comes "Italian for Beginners", one of the sweetest, wisest and most enjoyable romantic comedy-dramas I have seen in a long time. Intellectually, it is closer to a dessert than a main course, but all desserts are not equal. You'll fondly remember this one. Like most romantic movies, its plot is rather farfetched. Its characters, though, are down to earth and believable - ordinary people trying to make their way through life's ups and downs with a little dignity.

In a small Danish city, six people find their lives in disarray for various reasons - two are caring for aged, ungrateful parents, one has recently lost his wife, another is about to lose his job, etc. They are not so much hopeless as they are desperate for hope. Their lives intersect in unexpected ways in an unlikely setting - a course in Italian at a local school.

Compared to its American counterparts, "Italian for Beginners" a small, sparse movie. Some viewers may not relate to the characters because none of them are larger than life. For me, their very ordinariness provides much of the movie's charm, because it makes their falling in love all the more special.

The film is in Danish and Italian with English subtitles.
GRADE: A