Customer Reviews

Italian for Beginners [VHS]

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

It's initially somewhat disconcerting to watch this movie, shot as a video rather than in traditional film format. But the script and the performances are so affecting and so honest that it quickly becomes entirely engrossing. A motley-seeming collection of average people: a raging restaurant keeper with a hidden talent for language, an accommodating hairdresser with a nightmare of a mother who just happens to be terminally ill, a klutzy, good-natured young bakery worker with a horrible father, a disaffected management type and a charming Italian waitress. They all find themselves at an evening class in Italian and they manage to make connections--with themselves and with the others in the class--in humorous and bittersweet ways.

This is a very worthwhile film. Don't be put off by the oddness of the video. You'll forget about it soon enough and become entirely caught up in this wonderfully well-acted, truly touching and amusing film.
Highly recommended.

The Danish Dogma95 filmmaking movement requires that it's practicioners utilize natural lighting and sound and hand-held cameras. Dogma95 is a response to what they feel is the arcane manner in which movies have been made up to this point and a direct reaction especially to what is termed a "Hollywood Film."
It is hard to argue with this point of view and technique as Dogma95 has been behind such films as "The Celebration," "Together," "Breaking the Waves" and the provocative and wonderful, "Dancer in the Dark."
Lone Sherfig is the first woman to direct a Dogma95 production with her "Italian for Beginners." It is also the first time Dogma95 techniques have been used with comedic material even though there are deadly serious portions of IFB.
"Italian for Beginners" is the story of several 30 somethings...all looking for what they feel is unattainable: Love, Respect, Validation. They all come together once a week for Italian lessons, hence the title. There are three men: Andreas, Jorgen and Hal-Finn and three women: Karen, Olympia and Guilia and by the end of the movie they've all paired-up. This process is done in as light hearted a manner as possible, though each has a sadness in their past or present that must be dealt with before the movie can inevitably achieve it's happy ending.
Scherfig applies a very serious approach to this material; along with the in-your-face camera and microphone work that heightens rather than flattens-out the words spoken and the performances given, which elevates IFB from a piece of fluff it could have been (think "Bread and Tulips") to the serious though very funny film it turns out to be.
The magic of Dogma95 is that, by way of their techniques, which are not new and many have been borrowed from documentary film , is that all artifice is removed. The actors are in a perilous position with the camera right on top of them, catching every glint and flicker of their eyes; the better to see the truth in their hearts and souls, and if they are faking it...we will know.

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.

This isn't so much a review as a response to the negative reviews below which successfully demonstrate that the authors have no idea: 1) That this movie was bound by the rules of Dogme 95, the Danish "anti-slickness" movement with which it is associated; 2) What the rules of Dogme 95 are; and 3) That without this knowledge they have no grounds to criticize the movie. First of all, all Dogme 95 films are to use cards for their credits. All Dogme 95 films are shot with only hand-held cameras. All Dogme 95 films are shot on the lowest budgets available.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with this movie (which does indeed happen to be shot on video). The performances and script are natural and understated. The plot may not be big on cinematic brushstrokes and life-changing events (another feature of Dogme 95: no "artificial" events are to be introduced, as the characters are expected to follow the patterns of their daily lives), but it is big on believability. And the direction is also suitably subtle.

If you enjoy a movie that is fundamentally human and, in its small way, life-affirming, try this out. Just know in advance that it is not filmed like an overblown Spielberg film.

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.

Italian For Beginners is a fantastic film, I don't see why people seem to have a problem with it. It's a movie for people who like movies and aren't bothered by things as ridiculous as the fact that it is shot with a video camera instead of on film. The script is engrossing, the characters are charming, and the locations beautiful. Don't listen to the negative comments and give this delightful little film a chance. It certainly deserves it.

This is a sweet, touching, comedic film...not what I would consider a comedy, but it does have many funny moments.

ITALIAN FOR BEGINNERS is the name of the foreign language class which is the thread that holds together the six somewhat lonely and wounded characters in this movie. Each one is trying to deal, with some modicum of dignity, with his or her life and the disappointments and troubles they encounter.

The movie deals with the characters' everyday conflicts and challenges - with little distraction for the audience (no sound track, minimal scenery, etc)except for the jerking of the hand-held camera. Gradually, unknown and unsuspected connections between the characters are cleverly revealed, as are the many layers of this story. I thought that the character development was very well done. Seeing how these people connect is heartwarming and leaves the viewer feeling as hopeful as the characters do.

then this movie is not to be missed. Real people, ordinary people, are much more interesting than the so-called beautiful people. And how they interact in the ordinary moments in life and how they fall in love can be wonderful to watch. Contrary to what I read from another review a moment ago, I think this movie is extraordinarily uplifting! If you're a sentimental old fool like I am, you'll probably get a tear as the movie ends with the song "Don't you know?" playing in the background, as did I. What a lovely movie!!!! I just rented the VHS version but the DVD edition is going on my Christmas list--I want to OWN this film!

ITALIAN FOR BEGINNERS is a unique little film. Like many of the better known Nordic films, this tale of disparate ordinary people who all have lost some of the joy of life, whether that be in the form of th loss of a family member or a job or a sense of self worth, has an edgy side that only demonstrates how close the masks of tragedy and comedy hang. Claustrophobic as Denmark in the winter, the setting and camera work enhance the passing needs we all feel when we are at our most vulnerable. The unifying element (or the modus exodus) for these likeable characters comes in their commonly attended Italian for Beginners class. The interaction between the characters is sweet, warming and gently humorous for all the background reality of making it through life. An excellent cast enhances this charming and moving story, one that should find a warm spot in everyone's heart. Highly recommended.

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.