Title: Io, Arlecchino (I, Harlequin)
Director: Matteo Bini, Giorgio Pasotti
Starring: Giorgio Pasotti, Roberto Herlitzka, Valeria Bilello, Lunetta Savino, Lavinia Longhi, Gianni Ferreri, Eugenio De’ Giorgi, Massimo Molea.
Paolo (Giorgio Pasotti) is an established television host in Rome. One day he receives a phone call that informs him that his father (Roberto Herlitzka) has been hospitalised in his hometown, Cornello del Tasso in the province of Bergamo. Paolo joins his father Giovanni to newly discover his great passion for the theatre, particularly the Commedia dell’Arte. Giovanni is in fact rehearsing, with his tiny theatre company, a show that tributes the 16th century comedy of craft, playing the light-hearted, nimble and astute servant who pursues the love interest of Colombina: Harlequin. This occasion will allow Paolo to reconnect with his roots and discover an artistic pride and joy, so distant from the frivolous talk show he hosts, that it will stir a change within his soul.
The contemporary fairytale, undoubtably pays a fond homage to the Italian heritage of Giorgio Strehler’s ‘Arlecchino servo di due padroni’, by transforming the character of Paolo in a timely romantic hero that does not differ so much from the stage character. But despite the tribute to theatre, the entire plot is drenched with cliches, from love triangles – where we can predict exactly that the protagonist will pick the small town girl over the ambitious wannabe starlet – to the stereotyped Milanese business-oriented tv manager who despises improvised theatrical performance art.
The context of this ode, addressed to the Italian performance characterised by masked types, dissolves in an ocean of commonplaces that are annihilated by stale saying. Not even the great Roberto Herlitzka – and the decent cast – manages to hold the movie together. At least the scenery is utterly enchanting, since the modern tale is set in one of Northern Italy’s most beautiful historical “borghi”.
Technical: B
Acting: B
Story: C+
Overall: B-
Written by: Chiara Spagnoli Gabardi
