My criterion for labeling these “chick flicks”? I loved them, my husband, not so much.
But guys, don’t be afraid of these slightly girlie movies.
Ferzan Ozpetek’s Facing Windows, La Finestra di Fronte, is my favorite of all his films. When an unhappy wife notices the cute guy (Raoul Bova) across the way through his window, she becomes a little obsessed. (In her defense, it’s Raoul Bova!) It takes a gay Holocaust survivor to show her how to live.
Ginger and Cinnamon, Dillo Con Parole Mie is an oldie but goodie from director Daniele Luchetti is about an aunt and her niece on vacation, the older trying to forget a love affair and the young girl trying to have her first. The song and dance number at the end is one of my absolute movie favorites, but I’m a girl.
Agata and the Storm, Agata e la Tempesta, from Silvio Soldini was way too silly for my husband, and even a little on the silly side for me, but nobody does quirky fun like Soldini. When a guy finds out that he’s been adopted and his real mother traded him for a sewing machine when he was a baby, he discovers a new family and his true self.
How could I not include Bread and Tulips , Pane e Tulipani? My family is still a little concerned that my favorite movie is about a mom and housewife that runs away from home and finds true happiness. (They are taking it too personally! It’s a wonderful, fun movie!)
The First Beautiful Thing, La Prima Cosa Bella is from Paolo Virzì, the director of this year’s Academy Award submitted film, Human Capital. When Bruno and Valeria meet a brother that had been unknown to them they tell him to come meet their mother: “She’s ruined my life’, said Bruno. “Maybe if you meet her she’ll ruin yours too.” He’s kidding, but he’s depressed. In maybe the most poignant scene he and his mother are out together and she’s laughing and happy but he whispers, “Why am I so unhappy?’”
The director of Light of My Eyes Luce Dei Miei Occhi, may be the king of unusual love stories. Giuseppe Piccioni’s story of the loner who falls for the troubled single mom is more heartbreaking than romantic. It’s also confusing to me in a particular way: who wouldn’t fall for Luigi Lo Cascio?
“…I don’t go crazy with joy when I see you, my heart doesn’t beat faster, I don’t feel lost when you go away. That’s how it is…it’s not my fault.”
I Love Italian Everything 