Variety
Reality-TV addiction is overripe for satire, yet Matteo Garrone's latest swerves from anything biting, opting for an affectionate look at a man's mad quest for celebrity.
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Reality
Luciano is a Neapolitan fishmonger led down a rabbit hole of skewed perceptions and paranoia after a sudden obsession with being a contestant on a reality TV show takes over his life. This reality-TV satire won the Grand Prix (effectively second place) at Cannes 2012. From the director of excellent Italian mafia drama Gomorrah.
Luciano's post-audition confidence becomes over-confidence, then outright paranoia sets in when he begins to think that anyone he doesn't recognise is part of a surveillance plan by the producers. Certain he's earned a place on the show and is being constantly monitored, Luciano begins to perform as if he is on reality television even though it would seem that he is, in fact, not.
Grand Prix winner at Cannes Film Festival 2012.
2012Rating: M, Offensive language115 minsItaly, FranceItalian with English subtitles
ComedyDramaWorld Cinema
- Director:
- Matteo Garrone ('Gomorrah')
- Writer:
- Matteo GarroneMassimo GaudiosoUgo ChitiMaurizio Braucci
- Cast:
- Aniello ArenaLoredana SimioliNando PaoneNello IorioNunzia SchianoRosaria D'UrsoGiuseppina CervizziClaudia GeriniRaffaele FerrantePaola MinaccioniCiro PetroneSalvatore MisticoneVincenzo RiccioMartina GraziusoAlessandra Scognamillo
Reality / Reviews
Total Film
The film belongs to Arena, outstanding as a man growing ever more delusional in his quest to acquire celebrity status.
Full reviewTime Out
Garrone just about keeps things under control long enough to make the surprisingly quiet coda emotionally satisfying and resonant.
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The New York Times
Mr. Garrone offers a glimpse not only of one man, but also of the soul of a people.
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The Guardian
It's a likable film played with gusto and heart - though fundamentally a little sentimental and predictable.
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Hollywood Reporter
A disappointingly obvious follow-up to Garrone's unsparing criminal drama Gomorra...
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Empire Magazine
As a satire on the seduction by media and our infatuation with celebrity, it's hardly The Truman Show, but Garrone's Gomorrah follow-up is wry and witty. Plenty of fun.
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A.V. Club
While its barbs on celebrity and reality television are expected and a little facile, they're mostly a misdirect for a story about family, community, and religion...
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