It's inconceivable how a father can abandon a child at all. Gianni, the man at the center of this story, has done that when he saw his lover die during the delivery of the child, but the baby survived. The baby is born with cerebral palsy that leaves him physically handicapped. After fifteen years, Gianni suddenly comes around to take his son Paolo to a German hospital so he can undergo some rehabilitation.
Thus begins a journey in which director Gianni Amelio takes us along to witness how the father and the son get acquainted after all those years. Paolo, the son, realizes Gianni is the missing father. He is quite an extraordinary boy in spite of the fact that he can't walk without the help of a cane. Gianni, at the beginning, is cautious of what he does because this is obvious a situation he didn't look for, but fell on him as part of having been absent all those years from his son's life.
As Paolo is being tested at the hospital, Gianni meets Nicole, who is at the hospital because her daughter is also being treated there. Nicole asks questions and Gianni is reluctant to answer, but she guesses what the nature of the relationship is like. Gianni, who doesn't have any experience with his son's problems, wonders how Nicole has been able to cope all those years. When the final revelation is bared, little prepares us for what she has to say, yet, it's only a human reaction.
Paolo and Gianni end up bonding in more ways than either one expected. Gianni surprises his son by taking him to Norway, where Kristine, a young pen pal of Paolo lives. Although they never get to see the girl, the trip serves for them to find a common ground and for Gianni to accept his responsibility. The last scene is a revelation as Gianni breaks down after realizing what a monster he has been to this son that he just have met.
Gianni Amelio's genius lies in the way he tells his story in which there is no recriminations or cheap hysterics, which would have derailed the picture. Mr. Amelio is also to be commended for the way he has presented the story and for the interesting cast he put together to portray the people on the story. Kim Rossi Stuart makes a good Gianni, the father. Andrea Rossi seems to be a natural for the camera; as young Paolo, he shows more common sense and acceptance than his father. The great Charlotte Rampling plays the pivotal role of Nicole. It's her example, and stoicism, that makes Gianni think about the monstrosity of his actions and learns to love his son.
It's a shame more films by Mr. Amelio don't reach us. He is a man with a conscience who wants to raise our awareness.
Thus begins a journey in which director Gianni Amelio takes us along to witness how the father and the son get acquainted after all those years. Paolo, the son, realizes Gianni is the missing father. He is quite an extraordinary boy in spite of the fact that he can't walk without the help of a cane. Gianni, at the beginning, is cautious of what he does because this is obvious a situation he didn't look for, but fell on him as part of having been absent all those years from his son's life.
As Paolo is being tested at the hospital, Gianni meets Nicole, who is at the hospital because her daughter is also being treated there. Nicole asks questions and Gianni is reluctant to answer, but she guesses what the nature of the relationship is like. Gianni, who doesn't have any experience with his son's problems, wonders how Nicole has been able to cope all those years. When the final revelation is bared, little prepares us for what she has to say, yet, it's only a human reaction.
Paolo and Gianni end up bonding in more ways than either one expected. Gianni surprises his son by taking him to Norway, where Kristine, a young pen pal of Paolo lives. Although they never get to see the girl, the trip serves for them to find a common ground and for Gianni to accept his responsibility. The last scene is a revelation as Gianni breaks down after realizing what a monster he has been to this son that he just have met.
Gianni Amelio's genius lies in the way he tells his story in which there is no recriminations or cheap hysterics, which would have derailed the picture. Mr. Amelio is also to be commended for the way he has presented the story and for the interesting cast he put together to portray the people on the story. Kim Rossi Stuart makes a good Gianni, the father. Andrea Rossi seems to be a natural for the camera; as young Paolo, he shows more common sense and acceptance than his father. The great Charlotte Rampling plays the pivotal role of Nicole. It's her example, and stoicism, that makes Gianni think about the monstrosity of his actions and learns to love his son.
It's a shame more films by Mr. Amelio don't reach us. He is a man with a conscience who wants to raise our awareness.