Let's say, as a premise, that I am rather critical about Italian movies (above all comedies, that base laugh on vulgarity), let's also say that this movie did not receive very positive criticism by experts, accusing it of offering a cliché comedy around the dissatisfaction of Italian thirty-forty somethings (see Muccino's movies) and now fifty year-old people, even criticising some Italian audience who goes and see these movies instead of feeling angry because financially supported by public money. Given all this as a premise, I do not feel like condemning "Matrimoni e altri disastri", which besides all predictability, cliché, deja vu, has the merit to offer the public a good comedy, relying on sane fun, and thankfully avoiding vulgarity. Some commitment is also to be found in the will to portray not a general sense of unfounded dissatisfaction (as in Muccino's "Baciami ancora"), but a desire to reach some good in one's life, where good simply means, unpretentiously, someone who cares for you. It is this simple truth explored throughout the movie, together with its consciousness of what to offer the audience, that makes it pleasant and enjoyable. The fact that the director is a woman is evident in the sensitivity with which some themes and characters are handled. Especially Margherita Buy, who I consider one of the most talented actresses of today, faces a quite consolidated role for her, but overcoming her usual neurotic outbursts, and showing more melancholy and mature consciousness, by the way not an easy role for an actress getting older and having to come to terms with parts as an ageing woman. On the whole I appreciated a sobering interpretations by the whole cast, also by Luciana Littizzetto, generally known for her irreverent humour, but here very contained and believable in her search for some love in life. Some truly funny moments are delivered by Fabio Volo. In the end, a movie that can offer some good time and good laugh, I would say something rare in today's Italian cinematography, and in Italian current times as well!
