I FIDANZATI (THE FIANCES)

(director/writer: Ermanno Olmi; cinematographer: Lamberto Caimi; editor: Carlo Colombo; music: Gianni Ferrio; cast: Carlo Cabrini (Giovanni), Anna Canzi (Liliana); Runtime: 76; MPAA Rating:NR; producer: Geofredo Lombardo; Janus Films; 1963-Italy-in Italian with English subtitles-B/W )

“A sobering romantic tale about absence making the heart grow fonder.“

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

A sobering romantic tale about absence making the heart grow fonder.

Italian auteur Ermanno Olmi (“Tickets”/”Il Posto”) keeps things simple and real, telling us more about the hardships of a working-class man than about romance.

The young Milanese factory welder, Giovanni (Carlo Cabrini), agrees to take an 18 month welding job in his company’s new plant in Sicily. The lad is depressed about his aging dad in a nursing home and how his relationship with his long-time fiancée Liliana (Anna Canzi) hit a wall. In Sicily, he is unhappy with the job, feels lonely and finds he’s not making more money than he would back home. Pining for his lost love, he sends her a warm postcard and that renews the relationship.

It’s a well-crafted and well-acted ‘realist’ film, the sort of film that was popular at that time in art houses.

REVIEWED ON 5/22/2018 GRADE: B   https://dennisschwartzreviews.com/