Made around the same time as the American film THIRTEEN, CATERINA IN THE CITY (the U.S. release title unnecessarily adds "BIG" - as if we don't know how large Rome is!), shows us a young girl moving from the suburbs to Rome proper. As fine a film as THIRTEEN was in many respects, CATERINA is even more ambitious as it adds politics and class to the stew of a young girl's coming of age (though CATERINA falls short of THIRTEEN in the sexuality department).
CATERINA is perhaps too ambitious for its own good. Though the film balances the various story lines and themes fairly well, you can't help but feel that it would have been stronger as drama if it were more focused. Still, CATERINA gives us a glimpse of the social turbulence that is going on in modern day Italy (can one even imagine such a toxic stew in an American "Teen Film"? Can you picture Hillary Duff going to a Communist rally and NOT have it be done as a joke or a farce!?).
And, what would normally be the "big dramatic climax" in the story towards the end, is treated as just another bump on the road in Caterina's life. In fact, Caterina just shrugs and hopes that the person is doing fine where they are. No big tantrums or ruined lives. How refreshing.
CATERINA is perhaps too ambitious for its own good. Though the film balances the various story lines and themes fairly well, you can't help but feel that it would have been stronger as drama if it were more focused. Still, CATERINA gives us a glimpse of the social turbulence that is going on in modern day Italy (can one even imagine such a toxic stew in an American "Teen Film"? Can you picture Hillary Duff going to a Communist rally and NOT have it be done as a joke or a farce!?).
And, what would normally be the "big dramatic climax" in the story towards the end, is treated as just another bump on the road in Caterina's life. In fact, Caterina just shrugs and hopes that the person is doing fine where they are. No big tantrums or ruined lives. How refreshing.