My Brother Is An Only Child
Director: Daniele Luchetti
Cert: 15
Time: 1 hr 44 mins
Following the contrasting lives of two working class brothers growing up in post war Italy, this portrayal of small town life is both convincing and moving. Accio, excellently played by Elio Germana, is the brother from hell. Belligerent and obtuse he spends most of his time either falling out or fighting with all and sundry but most passionately his brother, Manrico (Riccardo Scamarcio), a charismatic rogue.
And as the two brothers grow up they take opposing political paths: one into Communism the other into Fascism, a development which only serves to cause even more conflict within the family. It seems that Accio can do no right much to the despair of his parents. However things take a turn for the better with the arrival one day of a beautiful girl at the family home. Answering the door Accio is immediately smitten, but unfortunately for him, she has already succumbed to Manrico’s charms. What follows is a wholly convincing portrait of their developing relationship set as it is against the backdrop of a fascinating period in the political evolution of Italy.
A drama about the ideological conflicts that shaped post war Italy may not be everyone’s cup of tea but this is an excellent film, which is well worth watching.
4/5
CA
