I have a confession to make.
The past few months, I did not get a chance to see any 'whole' movie. I would simply fall asleep in the couch a few minutes after the movie had started.
But yesterday I made it happen! I got to see the 100% of a movie! Plus 35 minutes of another one (but then I had to go to sleep)
Today, I will write my review for the film "Grazie Ragazzi"
Release date: January 12, 2023 (Italy)
Country of origin: Italy
Language: Italian
Also known as: Buon viaggio ragazzi
Director: Riccardo Milani
Writers: Michele Astori, Riccardo Milani
Stars: Antonio Albanese, Fabrizio Bentivoglio, Sonia Bergamasco
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15761584/
Introduction
Why I selected this movie? Because it is Italian, it was described as a comedy and it had a high rating in IMDb. If you expect action & guns, you will not find them in this film. But you will laugh, you will enjoy it, you will sympathize with the heroes and you will enjoy an enjoyable film that has a good balance of humor and drama (as well as some unexpected turns)
More about the Film
Grazie ragazzi is mainly a comedy film. The starring actor is Antonio Albanese who is "Antonio" in the film. An actor who needs to accept a job in the prison, as a theater teacher and to teach prisoners how to become actors.
I was surprised to know that the film is based on the true story, of Jan Johnson who actually staged "Waiting for Godot" with prisoners. This inspired a documentary Les Prisonniers de Beckett by Michka Saäl that in turn inspired the french film "Un triomphe" (in 2020).
The film draws the viewer's attention from the first few minutes. (I will not share any spoilers). It is funny, the protagonist is playing his role perfectly and it unfolds quickly.
(I usually don't like too slow movies)
We follow Antonio's journey as he reluctantly accepts the offer to teach some inmates, who do not know why they are even there. He does his best to inspire them and after many, many fun and at times moving adventures, they manage to persuade the prison director to allow them to play outside the prison. They go through many different states, they fight, they learn, they learn how to be creative and how to work together. They learn how to respect and how to find lost pieces of themselves. Each one had their story and decided to participate fighting their own demons, finding their own Ithaka.
One of the great performances is the one of Michele (Fabrizio Bentivoglio). His role is very important in how the plot evolves.
The theater
The story is funny but also heartwarming. The actors recognize and bow to the power of theater, that has the power to really transform their lives. They are asked in many theaters to perform again and again the "Waiting for Godot" play.
Every actor was really unique in their role, and it was very inspiring to see how much they appreciated the passionate and charismatic teacher, who manages to bring out the best of his students.
(Created in Bing image creator)
The movie is more than a comedy. It also touches on the conditions in the prison system, the immigration, and also the cultural gap between people with different backgrounds.
Conclusion
I laughed, I cried, I smiled.
The film made me think, and I recommend it to true movie lovers around the globe.
I give it a full 7.5/10 and maybe even a 8!
Have you seen this movie? I would love to know your thoughts!
(Some more info in Italian)
https://www.mymovies.it/film/2023/grazie-ragazzi
https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grazie_ragazzi