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14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Zenzero & Cannella, July 22, 2005
This review is from: Ginger and Cinnamon (DVD)
Ginger and Cinnamon, Dillo con Parole Mie (`Say it in my words') in its Italian version, is entertaining in its dialogue and acting. The storyline is a little drab and predictable if you catch on to what has happened early on, somethat that I admit I failed to understand the first time I watched it. The film is set on the Greek Island of Ios, which is depicted in the same light as MTV's Cancun spring break minus the wet t-shirt contests. Teens and twenty-somethings wander around aimlessly, drink beer for breakfast and have lots of alfresco sex. The movie revolves around the break-up of Stefania and Andrea and the mission-like will of Stefania's niece to lose her virginity at age 14. The sex scenes are mild and show no human flesh beyond what can be seen publicly at any beach.
One unique addition to the film is a series of "reality freezes" in which the director shows groups of actual youth on holiday on the Greek islands. They identify themselves by first name and host city and country. The portrayal of the British kids is all too accurate, and while the pictures often show the youth passed out at 10 AM near a bottle of booze, there is something greater about the international unity that exists on the islands. Even if Brazil and the US have sour diplomatic relations, their youth are still partying hard and together in the Isles of Love.
I recommend this film for a college-level Italian language course. The language is modern and the content entertaining, even profound on some levels. There is a lot of sexual content, however, though nothing to which a typical college student is already inured.
Note on language: Andrea, or `Anea,' uses the word `mo' a couple of times in the film. `Mo' means `adesso' (in modern Italian) or `now' (in English) and is used in a number of Southern dialects.
A brief description in Italian from Yahoo! Cinema Italia:
"Che estate terribile quella che si prospetta per Stefania e Megghy, rispettivamente zia e nipote. Stefania, trentenne, è stata appena lasciata dal suo compagno; la sedicenne Megghy, invece, ha appena perso l'occasione per trascorrere le vacanze con i suoi amici. Entrambe sole, decidono di partire per qualche giorno di relax in Grecia. Ma il destino decide di giocare un brutto tiro: sull'isola di Ios, infatti, Stefania incontra il suo ex Andrea mentre Megghy ritrova i suoi amici."
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Hard to shake off the overwhelmingly annoying character of Megghy, March 1, 2008
This review is from: Ginger and Cinnamon (DVD)
Ginger and Cinnamon has some funny moments. We thought it was cute and enjoyable fluff and - as others have noted here - it's interesting to get a slice-of-life look at party island life in Greece, literally and no doubt accurately depicted as swarmed by young singles from around the world. One of director Daniele Luchetti's interesting touches is to intersperse eight or so moments where real-life revelers introduce themselves to the camera. No doubt this movie sent the tourist travel to Ios Island through the roof...as if it needed it.
Not much to say about the movie itself. It was pretty hard for me to shake off the overwhelmingly annoying character of Megghy (Martina Merlino) as a self-centered 14-year-old ham-handedly attempting to lose her virginity. We needed less of Merlino and more of the winsome Stefania Montorsi - naturally beautiful and likable in the Giovanna Mezzogiorno mold.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
For Romantics of All Ages, March 27, 2007
This review is from: Ginger and Cinnamon (DVD)
Daniele Luchetti's 8th feature as a director is a lighthearted comedy about love. Martina Merlino in her first film (that I could find) plays 14-year-old Meggy who travels with her aunt to the Greek Island of Ios. The aunt played by Stefania Montorsi who also was a screenwriter for the film and has appeared in Italian films (translated titles) "Little Teachers" & "Other Men." She's a youthful aunt of 30 who is trying to get over a breakup with her boyfriend Andrea, albeit not successfully as she continually calls leaving messages for him. Unbeknownst to the ladies, Andrea has also headed to Ios to draw. Meggy meets Andrea for the first time and is determined to lose her virginity to him. Meanwhile Aunt Stefania meets young Pippo who wants to lose his virginity to Stefania. Pippo is played by Alberto Cucca and looks the part of the young man @ the beach. The various attempts by Meggy to snare Andrea finally result in he & Stefania meeting with fallout from their breakup flying furiously. The film has a very good-natured conclusion with all concerned learning lessons from love. This is a sweet film for romantics of all ages. Enjoy!
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