Light in the Piazza (1962) User Reviews

This was not a simple story

[kathleenseabolt1 · 8/10 · 20 September 2006]

I watched this one "by accident" (by discovery) and was very moved by the film. The wonderful performances by Olivia and Rossano definitely elevate it, and the youngsters were sympathetic. I was, frankly, surprised by Hamilton's controlled and sensitive performance as Fabrizzio.

This movie deserves better treatment from the former reviewer. While definitely a travelogue and clearly a period piece, it still has something timeless to say about happiness and the human condition; that the inability to love and be loved may be the biggest disability of all.

Much Underrated Romance with Yvette Mimieux

[kirksworks · 8/10 · 2 November 2011]

I think this film is among the most underrated of its era. It has what is likely Yvette Mimieux' finest performance, and it's in a difficult role as well. Though the story centers around Clara (Mimieux), who is 26 but has the mind of a child, it is really her mother Meg's story, nicely played by Olivia de Havilland.

Meg has brought Clara to Florence, Italy, to get her daughter away from a boy back in the states Clara had gotten close to. What drives the plot is Meg's desire for Clara who had been kicked in the head by a pony at age 10 and is mentally stunted, to have a normal life. When Clara is pursued by a young Italian Fabrizio (George Hamiliton), Meg doesn't really know what to do. On the one hand, she doesn't want Fabrizio and his family to discover Clara's "condition," but on the other, Fabrizio has an amazing effect on Clara. They are truly in love.

Things get more complicated when Meg meets Fabrizio's father, who takes more than a friendly interest in Meg. She is very capable of taking care of herself, though. What really upsets her is a visit by her husband (Barry Sullivan), who has long ago given up on the idea that Clara could have any semblance of a normal life.

Though Mimieux and de Havilland shine, the whole cast works well, including Hamilton as Fabrizio. Hamilton seems to be the whipping boy of the critics. I'm not sure why, but perhaps it's his good looks and that he looks privileged. It may be acerbated by the fact that he often played characters of privilege. Two years before he was a rich playboy in MGM's "Where the Boys Are," so perhaps critics couldn't buy him as an Italian. Nevertheless, Hamilton is really appealing in "Piazza." Even his Italian accent blends with the real Italian actor who plays his father, Rossano Brazzi. Hamilton's scenes with Mimieux often surprise with their level of emotion.

If you haven't figured this out already, this film is for romantics, and if you find these sorts of films corny, you'll probably have the same reaction here. However, for those of us who enjoy a nicely told romance in an idyllic setting, "Light in the Piazza" is hard to beat. It's much better than Warner's "Rome Adventure" the same year, a film full of beautiful locales but more soap than genuine opera. In "Piazza" director Guy Green unfolds the drama naturally, and keeps a tight grip on this character driven story all the way to the glorious ending.

Green continued working with Mimieux in her next film, "Diamond Head," where she plays the sister of Charlton Heston. It's another exotic love story, but not as successful as "Piazza." Yvette Mimieux, who made a big splash in George Pal's "The Time Machine" and "Where the Boys Are" in 1960, never really reached her full potential, but she came awfully close to giving a great performance in "Piazza." To play a 26 year old who throws tantrums, has physical fits and sleeps with teddy bears without garnering audience disdain, is quite a feat. A role like this could easily become obnoxious or succumb to treacle, but Mimieux manages to make us care and root for her. As crazy as the idea of a girl so mentally stunted ever having a normal life might be, we come to want it for her. We never lose our affection for Clara, as crazy as some of her actions are. Mimieux plays her as a likable, lovable daughter and an appealing lover. A pleasant person. As Mimieux' performance shows us, it's clear why Fabrizio fell for her.

Meg is the anchor of "Piazza," and de Havilland pulls us through the twists and turns of the story with a likable display of perseverance. Her scenes with Clara are filled with warmth, but tinged with unease, as they should be. de Havilland and Brazzi have many wonderful and amusing scenes together as they get to know each other, while at the same time keeping secrets from one another.

The lush score by Mario Nascimbene is very much of its time, but is well suited to the film. It never seems to intrude, but adds that touch of European exotica appropriate for the time and place. Following "Piazza" and "Diamond Head," director Guy Green went on to do what is probably his best film, "A Patch of Blue," another unusual romance. He apparently liked them.

There are things in the film that date it, primarily the use of rear screen projection for the scenes with de Havilland and Brazzi driving around in a small car. The filmmakers even removed the windshield so as not to block the view of the actors and this makes the scenes so ridiculously fake they are laughable. Interestingly, I recently saw 2010's "Letters to Juliet," which is also a romance that takes place in Italy, and the car scenes were done the same way. The only difference is that technology has gotten much better and the effects were harder to spot. Nevertheless, I spotted them.

For some reason, some films made at MGM in 1962 were poorly received and heavily criticized. "Mutiny on the Bounty" with Marlon Brando, and "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" with Glenn Ford (and Mimieux as his sister), are two other examples. This was the same year as "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "Lawrence of Arabia," both of which were well received. "Bounty" and "Horsemen" seemed to have been reassessed in recent years and if you read comments on both they are much better appreciated these days. Perhaps the reason "Piazza" is late in being reassessed is because until now, it has not been available. The Warner Archive has finally put this film on DVD and for those romantics willing to take a chance, they will probably enjoy it immensely.

Looking Beautiful in Italy

[wes-connors · 7/10 · 28 March 2010]

While vacationing in beautiful Italy, Olivia de Havilland (as Meg Johnson) watches lovely daughter Yvette Mimieux (as Clara) and handsome Italian George Hamilton (as Fabrizio Naccarelli) fall hopelessly in love. Although the two seem perfect for each other, Ms. Mimieux suffers from a secret disability. Aching for her daughter to lead a normal life, Ms. de Havilland is unable to tell Mr. Hamilton or father Rossano Brazzi about Mimieux' condition. Father of the potential bride Barry Sullivan (as Noel Johnson) is against the wedding...

You've got to stop wondering why nobody but her parents seem to notice or care about Mimieux' delicate condition, especially Hamilton; and, moreover, since it's not a problem, how it could matter. Director Guy Green and cinematographer Otto Heller give "Light in the Piazza" some beautiful scenery. Hamilton and Mimieux are an incredibly good-looking couple. And, de Havilland is marvelous to watch, filling her conflicted wife and mother character with enough to have warranted some "Best Actress" consideration.

******* Light in the Piazza (2/7/62) Guy Green ~ Olivia de Havilland, Yvette Mimieux, George Hamilton, Rossano Brazzi

Intriguing romantic drama from slim best-seller

[Doylenf · 15 March 2001]

Olivia de Havilland is a worried mother travelling through scenic Italian locations with daughter Yvette Mimieux, who is mentally retarded. When a young Italian starts courting her daughter and showing up in the most unlikely places, de Havilland's predicament becomes apparent. Should she tell the truth or let her daughter marry the rather simple-minded Italian boy? The situation was better described in the novella by Elizabeth Spencer, but the Epstein brothers have given the screenplay some grace and humor--and de Havilland is superb as the doting mother. Rosanno Brazzi adds his brand of charm to the boy's father and there is a light touch of romance between him and de Havilland. George Hamilton is surprisingly convincing as the smitten Italian youth, Yvette Mimieux does well enough as the girl and Barry Sullivan does what he can with the thankless role of her stubborn father who would rather see her placed in an institution. All of it is nicely photographed in Italian locales and in wide-screen technicolor (see the letterbox version if you can). This unappreciated film is a minor gem--poignant, touching and humorous.

Strange amalgam which somehow works

[grahamclarke · 7/10 · 14 August 2005]

My chief reason for seeking out this movie was the fact of being very much captivated by Adam Guettel's score for his musical adaptation. Without having seen the stage production, the overall impression is that it's a deeper far more intense treatment of the novel than is the movie. But in fact, the film's greatest achievement is that while not skirting the issues it refuses to seep into melodrama. It's a strange amalgam; a family's dealing with a retarded child, together with Hollywood's version of carefree, emotive Italians filmed on location in sunny Italy.

The story concerns the difficulties in dealing with retarded children. This is a serious, complex topic and one that is a constant challenge to the many families who have to deal with children who are mentally handicapped. A particularly problematic junction is the onset of adulthood for such a child.

The pivotal role in the movie is that of the mother, superbly played by Olivia de Havilland. She focuses on her daughter's inherent kindness and goodness and has a developed a down to earth, decidedly non tragic attitude towards the situation. The critical decision of whether to marry her off to an unsuspecting Italian family or placing her in an institution (her husband's choice) is not one she wrestles with. The blossoming of young romantic love is overwhelming and her daughter, like everyone else, has a right to taste these fruits. With great satisfaction she feels she's done the right thing.

One has to be cautious not be too judgemental, but despite the happy ending, one is left with an uneasy feeling that the couple's future may not be as rosy as is suggested. (I am no doubt influenced by the knowledge of a similar real life situation which did not fare well.) There is a discrepancy between this complex topic and the feel of the movie itself. Italy and the Italians are portrayed in the same glowing, carefree spirit as many other movies depicting the romantic antics of American's falling in love with locals , ("Come September", "Buona Sera Mrs. Campbell", "Time of the Cuckoo"). But the fact that the poignancy of the story is not compromised is the movie's triumph.

De Havilland gives a layered, knowing, almost underplayed performance. She's simply terrific and possibly the best reason for seeking this one out. The rest of the cast fare pretty well. (George Hamilton is surprisingly competent.) While far from essential, it's a Hollywood oddity with definite interest value.

Young Love In Florence

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 27 August 2010]

As she got older Olivia DeHavilland picked and chose her roles a lot more carefully. An absence of three years such as the one she had before accepting Light In The Piazza was not unusual for her. I think it was in part a reaction to her days at Warner Brothers where she was put into a whole lot films she didn't like.

At the time she made Light In The Piazza Olivia was living in France with her then husband Pierre Galante and raising their children. So a location shoot in Rome and Florence was no big move. Rome saw its share of films extolling the beauties of the Eternal City. But in this one the Renaissance beauty of Florence got its share of cinema immortality. The color cinematography of Light In The Piazza was its greatest asset.

Olivia is on a mother/daughter holiday in Florence with Yvette Mimieux who when she was 10 was kicked in the head by a horse and has stayed at that age emotionally. But her physical development wasn't arrested any and she gets the attention of young Florentine George Hamilton. There's a whole lot of concern from both families because Hamilton is the same way.

In addition to her daughter's romance, Olivia gets courted by Rossano Brazzi who is Hamilton's father. Some of the plot of A Summer Place is borrowed here as we glimpse into their married lives, Brazzi with the eternally crying Nancy Nevinson and DeHavilland with stuffed shirt Barry Sullivan who wants to institutionalize Mimieux because she's becoming an inconvenience.

Light In The Piazza got an Oscar nomination for Best Sound. It was produced at MGM by Arthur Freed who was now out of the musicals business. Still this film has some of the decorative gloss that an MGM Freed musical you would expect to have. Yvette Mimieux may have given her best screen performance here. I think you'll agree.

An odd romantic film...

[AlsExGal · 7/10 · 10 March 2024]

... with Olivia de Havilland as the mother of a "simple" girl who was brain-injured as a child. As played by Yvette Mimieux, she naturally attracts the attention of a young Italian (George Hamilton), much to the alarm of the mother who still treats the girl like a 10-year-old. You have to wonder what the real purpose of the trip to Italy was. Rich and aimless, De Havilland seems quite happy just lingering in Florence, with no plans or agenda. There's a husband back in the US (Barry Sullivan) and Hamilton has an opportunistic father (Rossano Brazzi), who seems to like the idea of a dowry.

I never read the novella so I have no idea how this was all originally portrayed. Once De Havilland settles on the idea that the daughter could be happily married into the Italian family, she sets out to ensure it happens. The only snags are that Sullivan wants the daughter placed in a home, and Brazzi balks when he finds out the daughter's real age.

It's a sweet-natured film with a sly sense of humor. This story was recently turned into a Broadway musical, oddly enough.

Enchanting Film

[filmloverlady · 10/10 · 3 September 2005]

I just watched this film today and I had not seen it for probably 20 years. I remembered it fondly and was happy that a friend taped it for me from TCM (which I do not have unfortunately) I was so thrilled to get to see it again after all these years- This is one of the most enchanting films I have seen. The love story is so sweet, and I enjoyed George Hamilton as an Italian. As an Italian myself, I found him to be very realistic and the accent was not all that bad. Olivia DeHavilland is as usual beautiful and her acting is so natural that you really believe that she is Clara's mother. I can only hope that someone at MGM will see their way to get this wonderful film on DVD- If you have the chance to see this movie, get so popcorn and sit back & enjoy!!

Clara Really a Genius!!

[GeoPierpont · 7/10 · 13 January 2015]

I am not aware of many 10 year olds who persuade such true affection from all around them, a joie de vivre, a profound knowledge of the Italian language and tremendous ease and comfort in a foreign country. I consider these aspects most appealing, mature, and far ahead of most young women I know here in the states.

Retarded? If you actually know someone who is afflicted with mental regression you observe that even simple comprehension is extremely limited and a very narrow hope for a semblance of normal life, i.e. married with children.

I was insulted that they could buy off the Catholic Church to speed up the marriage without conversion and the emphasis on the dowry and general concept of Italian ignorance. However, having visited that country and inheriting Napolitan blood I agree, superficial is the captivating summary save for the great artists.

Perhaps this situation would prove workable given the supposition of money takes care of responsibilities and joy lasts just a bit longer with limited stress.

Italian men tend to be lustful wanderers and fortunately she may never notice his attentions elsewhere. Ignorance is most blissful and we root for this couple to pursue happiness for a lifetime. I chose to leave it at that and mother and father could resume their life together, smoking till death soon to part.

The backdrop was magnificent of Florence, Venice, Rome and carried the weaker moments of the film. Hamilton's accent is so inferior to Mimieux's that is was laughable but delightful to see him sans smug smile and ubiquitous tan.

High recommend for Olivia fans, her performance was subtle, sweet, demur but valiantly hopeful. Love is a many splendid thing and this film tempts to prove it is available to all who seek it.

Oh perfect love

[blanche-2 · 8/10 · 14 March 2007]

Olivia de Havilland is traveling with her daughter in Italy when romance strikes in "The Light in the Piazza," a 1962 film based on the novel by Elizabeth Spencer. The story was also made into a highly successful Broadway musical of the same name. De Havilland's costars include Yvette Mimieux,Barry Sullivan, George Hamilton and Rossano Brazzi.

Because her adult daughter has the mental age of 10, Meg Johnson (de Havilland) keeps very close watch over Clara (Mimieux), a beautiful blonde who, despite her impairment, is very much a woman and attracting a lot of attention in Italy. (This is extremely realistic - blondes do great over there.) In Florence, Clara is pursued relentlessly by an enthusiastic suitor, Fabrizio. His parents (Brazzi and Nancy Nevison) approve of the relationship. What's waiting for Clara back home is an institution, though a good one, that her father (Sullivan) is insisting upon in hopes of rekindling his lost relationship with his wife. Meg is in a dilemma and makes a bold decision.

Set against the magnificent backdrop of Florence and with a beautiful performance by de Havilland, "The Light in the Piazza" is a marvelous film and the story of a perfect love. Though Meg is protective of Clara and always with her, when she sees that her daughter has a chance at a normal life, she lets go - giving both of them a chance at a life they're missing.

One can argue the ethics of Clara's decision but given the Italian scenario: servants in the home, the constant attention of the in-laws, the place of the wife in the home, I believe that Clara will be happy with this loving family. She is mentally impaired due to an accident but that doesn't make her a slow or impaired 10-year-old - she is, in fact, very bright, mastering Italian with ease, and she has all the normal, healthy feelings of a woman. If she has a child's outlook on laughter and fun, that is something to be prized. The most telling moment for me in the film was when Clara asks her mother to read to her "one last time," knowing that her husband is not going to like the kinds of stories Meg reads to her. Then the camera shows one of her beloved stuffed animals on the floor. Clara knows her life is changing; she's in love and ready for it.

De Havilland, one of the truly great film actresses, was 47 at the time of the filming and very attractive. She conveys not only the needed maternal qualities but a womanliness and uncommon strength. "I made the right decision," she whispers at the wedding, looking at her lovely, serene daughter. "I KNOW I did." She will always be available to Clara - but now, she will be available to the rest of her family as well.

Yvette Mimieux does a fine job as Clara, capturing her childishness very well. Hamilton is in his element in the light role of Fabrizio - he wasn't really capable of much more, and this suits him. Rosanno Brazzi is very charming, sexy, and funny as Fabrizio's father. But the film belongs to de Havilland's anchoring performance.

This is a well-directed film, beautiful to look at, with a very touching story. Highly recommended.

Flawed, yet intriguing film

[vincentlynch-moonoi · 7/10 · 13 November 2012]

In this film, Yvette Mimieux plays a beautiful young lady who, as a child, was kicked in the head by a horse, and whose mental development has been slowed to the level of a 10 year old...except when she is rapidly picking up a new language and in certain other social settings. (Interestingly, just one year later, Mimieux played the socially slow and naive wife of Dean Martin in "Toys In The Attic"). That's the first problem with this film -- an inconsistency with Mimieux's character.

She is in Florence, Italy with her protective mother (the grand and gracious Olivia de Havilland). While there, they are stalked...well in 1962 it wouldn't be considered that...by an Italian suitor -- George Hamilton. Hamilton's limited ability as a serious actor was beginning to show by the time he made this -- his ninth credited film...but he gets by here. Is Hamilton on the level? Apparently so, since his family is relatively wealthy. His father is played by Rossano Brazzi. Barzzi is his normally suave self here, and rather enjoyable, although this film is not one of the highlights to his career.

And then along comes Daddy...a very worn-out looking Barry Sullivan, long past his prime in film (if there ever was one). Apparently he was gotten on the cheap here, and they didn't even want to spend money for a little makeup. Daddy, by the way, wants to put daughter in a "country-club" institution.

As a result of Daddy's plans, with a couple of stumbles along the way, Mama does everything she can to make the wedding happen, and when it does she says, "I know I did the right thing!" It's a bit distracting in places to watch this film due to what may be a deterioration in the film, or as shown on TCM, a bad print. Nevertheless, despite its flaws, this is an interesting film worth a couple of hours of your viewing time.

An intelligent tear-jerker! Now a Tony Award Winning Musical on B'way!

[bestactor · 10/10 · 1 July 2005]

Compared to the other sentimental tear-jerkers of the late 1950s and early 1960s this is way above average. Olivia de Havilland provides another outstanding pivotal performance that brings extraordinary intelligence and credibility that more than compensates for any weaknesses in the story. All of the supporting performances are excellent, including wonderful work by George Hamilton and Yvette Mimieux who seem so natural and unforced, and so unlike most of their other performances. The Italian locations and production are gorgeous! The story is quite original and avoids so many of the clichés of the time. The dialogue is intelligent and unsentimental, allowing the performances to create the pain and joy. De Havilland's role is quite progressive in the portrayal of a mother willing to take risks to allow her retarded daughter to have a chance at happiness.

Beauty and Simplicity

[kooklafran · 7/10 · 23 August 2020]

With two great cinematographers, Guy Green and Otto Heller, involved in this movie, is it no wonder the scenery and beauty is brought forth so wonderfully? The setting, characters, and costume are pleasing to the eye. The acting of de Havilland and Brazzi are, as should be, excellent. A decent movie .

"I did the right thing--I KNOW I did!"

[moonspinner55 · 5/10 · 6 October 2002]

Olivia de Havilland is regal and lovely in this slow, romantically suspect drama about the mother of a mentally backward young woman seeing her child in the midst of her first serious romance while in Italy and unsure whether to inform the handsome beau of the girl's condition. With beautiful Florence locales and sweet Yvette Mimieux in support, the movie is wonderful to look at, though it's all a bit poky. Director Guy Green and screenwriter Julius J. Epstein, working from a story by Elizabeth Spencer, certainly take their time getting to the heart of this story, and yet they curiously leave out the expected revelation. Dramatically, this is both pro and con--only a negative in the sense that the movie could really use one strong stand-out scene but instead aims for a happy ending. It almost works. ** from ****

Splendid Film

[williwaw · 17 March 2011]

MGM deserves credit for producing a magnificent film The Light In The Piazza starring a classic star Olivia De Havilland and featuring two of MGM's brightest contract stars George Hamilton and as the key player in the film Yvette Mimieux as a learning disabled Girl who for the first time is treated like an adult and is romanced by a handsome man who because of the language barriers does not realize her disabilities. A remarkable film beautifully filmed in Italy by the fine director Guy Green. Having seem this film I am going to review and study more of Mr. Green's films. Of course it goes without saying that Olivia De Havilland often nominated and winner of 2 Oscars gives a brilliant performance of Yvette Mimieux's mother. George Hamilton is fine as the Lothario.

A courageous film and a credit to the MGM Studio

Only in a movie.........

[kijii · 7/10 · 25 November 2016]

During the 50s and early 60s, there were several movies about young to middle-aged women touring in Italy and falling in love with Italian men, and I often get these movies mixed up.

---Katharine Hepburn being romanced in Venice by Rossano Brazzi in David Lean's Summertime (1955).

---Vivien Leigh being sought after by Warren Beatty in Tennessee Williams' The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone (1961).

---Rosano Brazzi is part of the cast in Three Coins in the Fountain (1954).

In THIS movie, Yvette Mimieux portrays a 27-year-old woman, Clara, who is brain damaged due to a childhood accident in which her pony had kicked her in the head. As a result of the accident, she has the emotional innocence of a 10-year-old girl with the body and hormones of an attractive 27-year-old woman.

For years, Clara's mother and father, Meg and Noel Johnson (Olivia de Havilland and Barry Sullivan), have been struggling with each other as to what to do about her future. This struggle has only recently been exacerbated when Clara innocently had jumped into the arms of a mature male stranger her age. Since Noel Johnson is wealthy tobacco executive from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, he and Meg have the money to delay the decision by arranging a Italian vacation of indeterminate duration for Clara and Meg, while hoping for a magical solution to their problems.

While Meg and Clara are touring in Florence (and learning Italian), Clara is attracted to a young Italian man her age, Fabrizio Naccarelli (George Hamilton), as he is naturally attracted to her. With no noticeable problems, Fabrizio and Clara fall in love. Meg hopes against hope that this may give Clara a "normal life" while Noel—who briefly comes to Rome to confer with her—is not convinced.

Nevertheless, Meg and Clara return to Florence, and Meg proceeds with wedding plans for Clara to marry Fabrizio with the help of his unsuspecting parents (played by Nancy Nevinson and Rosano Brazzi).

After all, she IS willing to covert to Catholicism and they are quite happy with the upcoming marriage ...

Nice, Unmemorable Travelogue

[Michael27-1 · 6/10 · 14 July 2005]

Stunning vistas of Florence, Italy, and the Italian countryside draw you into what is, overall, a fairly slow and ordinary film. "Light In The Piazza" is nice to look at. And the performances are nice. And the story is nice. There just isn't anything spectacular beyond the glossy facade. The movie is just...well...nice.

Olivia de Havilland plays a wealthy American on vacation in Italy with her beautiful 26-year old daughter, Clara(Yvette Mimieux),who, due to a childhood accident, has the mentality of a 10-year old. Once Clara meets a handsome Italian named Fabrizio, played surprisingly well by George Hamilton, her mother becomes increasingly overbearing and pulls out all the stops to keep the two of them apart. However, once Clara's cold-hearted father arrives in Italy, will de Havilland have a change of heart?

Olivia de Havilland saves this film. She brings tremendous grace to the screen and compensates for any of the movie's shortcomings. Also very good is Rosanno Brazzi as Fabrizio's father. Brazzi is shamelessly handsome and de Havilland and Mimieux are beautiful. But where does all of this beauty get you? Not far. The story is limp and full of holes. And you keep wanting it to come to a climax(or at least the end). Interestingly, the ending is a real tear-jerker. I was completely caught off guard by how touching the story's conclusion is. Despite the highlights, however, "Light In The Piazza" is sweet, nice, and incredibly forgettable. But it is a great ad for Italy's Department of Tourism.

Humor , Drama & True Innocent Love

[whpratt1 · 6/10 · 11 December 2006]

Oliva De Havilland, (Meg Johnson), "Airport 77", plays a mother from the East Coast who has a daughter, Yvette Mimieux,(Clara Johnson) "The Black Hole", who was hit by a horse when she was very young and it seemed to effect her growth as a woman. Mother and Daughter take a trip to Italy and meet up with a charming young man named Fabrizio Naccarelli,(George Hamilton),"Off Key", and Clara & Fabrizio get to like each other very much. Rossano Brazzi, (Signor Naccarelli), "Fear City",' is the father to Fabrizio and becomes interested in Meg Johnson, whose husband is played by Barry Sullivan who is very seldom seen in this film. There are plenty of laughs and some light drama to go along with a very Light Headed Film.

Beautiful scenery

[michellemurmurs6244 · 9/10 · 13 August 2005]

American Olivia De Havilland is vacationing in Italy with mentally impaired daughter Yvette Mimeux when fate intervenes. They meet up with George Hamilton who is instantly attracted to Mimeux. Seemingly oblivious to the reason for her childlike enthusiasm he falls for her. This causes some consternation for her mother. Should she encourage this pairing or not? After the girl's father shows up the mother finds herself having to make a decision will affect her daughter's life. A very well acted drama. George Hamilton is fine in an early role. Olivia De Havilland does another magnificent turn as the over protective mother. Check this one out.

Lots of great things, one big issue

[gbill-74877 · 7/10 · 7 August 2019]

Highlights:

• Olivia de Havilland at 46 is a delight to see, and her acting is effortless.
• Those dresses of hers, designed by Christian Dior, are fabulous. The way she looked reminded me of the elegance and style of Jaqueline Kennedy.
• The shots on location in both Florence and Rome.
• The central question of the film, what to do about this girl (Yvette Mimieux) who is mentally 10 years old but has fallen in love, and the frank discussion her parents (de Havilland and Barry Sullivan) have about it, was the high point of the film.
• Seeing George Hamilton at 23, and before he became so tanned.
• There is something touching about the concept of true, innocent love.

Lowlights:

• A point in the plot - the mother not telling the young man or his family about her daughter's condition - at first seems just very odd or a plot hole, and then it just keeps growing until it undermines the whole movie. The ending is absurd. If it had confronted the moment of reckoning that must eventually come (for both daughter and mother), this could have been a great film.

A Great Movie that is a credit to MGM and Olivia De Havilland and Yvette Mimieux

[adventure-21903 · 9/10 · 3 April 2020]

Arthur Freed produced most of MGM classic musicals and surprised many by producing this romantic drama set it Italy that deals with a mentally challenged beautiful young woman played by gorgeous Yvette Mimieux.

This is the story: Yvette Mimieux has the mental capacity of a young girl, and meets George Hamilton playing a romantic Italian. Hamilton is smitten with Mimieux but Olivia De Havilland playing Yvette's mother feels Hamilton simply sees Yvette as an opportunity. It becomes clear during this beautifully acted and photographed film that for the first time in her life Yvette's character is loved for whom she is! The Hamilton character due to language differences never picks up on Mimieux[s characters "slowness".

This film is a great credit to MGM, Arthur Freed, Olivia De Havilland and Yvette Mimieux and George Hamilton both MGM contract stars. This became a hit Broadway show years later.

I recommend this great movie.

Light in the Piazzi Dims **1/2

[edwagreen · 6/10 · 19 October 2008]

Excellent supporting performances are given in this 1962 film by Yvette Mimieux, as a mentally impaired young lady and by George Hamilton as her Italian suitor.

The subject nature of the film is most interesting. A woman, whose own marriage is faltering, takes her daughter to Italy where the latter unexpectedly finds romance. What is difficult to take is that the young Fabrizio(Hamilton) and his family fail to realize that Clara (Mimieux) is mentally impaired. The dialogue reveals this in about 10 minutes into the film.

Barry Sullivan has the under-stated role of Olivia De Havilland's husband, a tobacco executive, who briefly appears when he is summoned to Rome. What is also hard to embrace is the very sudden turn around by the mother (De Havilland) who at first does everything possible to break up the romance only to wholeheartedly endorse it.

Some major social problems are dealt with here, especially what to do with mentally impaired children when the parents are no longer here.

I found the ending to be more of a cop-out.

One of my Favorites! A real Feel Good Movie

[mammamia701 · 10/10 · 20 August 2020]

Light in the Piazza is one of my favorites. Yvette Mimieux does an excellent performance of portraying an innocent young girl, who had been left brain damaged from a horse riding accident as a child. Yet, she is still a young woman. Olivia DeHaviland is her protective mother, who wants her to be normal, yet also protect her from being taken advantage of by men. Enter George Hamilton playing Fabrizio. How I love how Clara (Yvette Mimieux) says his name! George is quite believable as an Italian speaking English. He was coached by Rosanno Brazzi who portrays his father and love interest? to Olivia DeHaviland. Upon learning of Clara's accident and her simple mindedness, he comments that his son isn't so bright either.

The scenery is absolutely beautiful! The costumes spectacular. The storyline is as good as any fairy tale, with a happy ending. I could go on, but why add more spoilers. Enjoy the movie and get engrossed by the scenery. Enjoy Clara and Fabrizio's romance and love story. Just remember, this takes place in Italy, and some customs are different than Americans, not to mention the time this took place in. This movie is a cultural experience, as well as a feel good love story.

Square Pear

[writers_reign · 7/10 · 19 December 2008]

Aware that this movie has been adapted into a successful Broadway musical I watched it - when I got the chance to do so on DVD - looking for possible 'spots' for songs. I know absolutely nothing about the musical other than it is successful which I find hard to believe having seen a previous show by Adam Guettl which was notable for its complete lack of melody/tunefulness notwithstanding that he is the grandson of Richard Rodgers. Having now watched the movie it is possible to identify elements that lend themselves to musicalization not least the location, primarily Florence with a brief side trip to Rome. For love interest there are two young people a naive American girl, who is actually retarded, of 26 and an equally naive Italian boy of 23. For conflict there is the absent husband (Barry Sullivan), hastily summoned to Rome by wife (Olivia de Havilland) when it becomes crystal clear that the two youngsters are serious. Pop is adamant that daughter must never be allowed to marry and thinks mom is crazy to even entertain such an idea. Then there is the boy's father (Rossano Brazzi) and his attraction to DeHavilland and that's just for openers. With all this going for it I can see where it might easily make a Broadway musical but what about the film? Glad you asked. It's pleasant enough and the two youngsters, Yvette Mimeux and George Hamilton convince as do the adults. It's true that Barry Sullivan is wasted in his few scenes that anyone on the Lot could have played but having said that he does add a certain gravitas. No world-beater but a pleasant enough diversion.

Tough to watch - Olivia is outstanding but can't carry this flawed movie

[Nate-48 · 3/10 · 15 April 2019]

Nothing wrong with the performances here - Olivia demands your attention constantly. George Hamilton is great if unrecognizable. Mimeux is very good as well. The best part of the film is the on-location shots of Italy and in 1962 color which is something special. But the storyline and dialogue are just too difficult to stomach. A lot of the scenes are frankly below laughable and just sub-standard. Some of the lines are cringe worthy even for 1962. Too much bad soap opera writing and I am very surprise this is rated higher than a 6.