M - El hijo del siglo

Compelling plot, striking photography, excellent acting by Marinelli. Above all, a solid portrayal of a particular historical period.

Much more to be appreciated if you speak Italian, because Marinelli's performance is truly a masterpiece, both from a linguistic and human point of view. M is a winning example of how history should be represented in cinema: hard and raw, without unnecessary words or unnecessary events based on fiction.

I really recommend its viewing. However, do not expect a simple and straightforward viewing; the story is purely described, there is no shortage of harsh scenes and I felt like some stories missed some details.

What is interesting is that the meaning of some of the pictures goes beyond the simple political figure to the man, with his fears and weaknesses. Things that, of the figure of Mussolini, never really came out of that period.

Excellent cinematic work.

While the cinematography is out for everyone to appreciate, I feel a need to stress a couple of key points international audiences might miss.

First and foremost: the series is based on the first of four books about the life of Mussolini, and while they are routinely described as "novels", they are in fact impressively researched from a historical point. Pretty much every dialogue, speech, document and event are openly sourced and beyond question.

While the staging frequently and blatantly is not realistic in order to make the show more spectacular, pretty much everything happened as you see it - including a D'Annunzio's Japanese samurai secretary and other apparently absurd elements.

My second point is about the acting and language. While it will fly above the heads of anyone not _very_ experienced with Italian, the work behind regional accents, lapses into dialects and the very speech patterns of 100 years ago is exceptional indeed. It is a shame this will mostly go unnoticed, as it actually conveys a fair bit of refinement to an already stellar ensemble performance.

Lastly, the (not present in the books) stabs at current politics are far more varied than expected. Like, everyone can understand a sudden fourth-wall-breaking "Make Italy Great Again!", but you'll probably miss the reference to the catastrophic Berlusconi era (delivered via subtle voice and body acting, or even just a brief costume change), or to the sorry state of the last few recent Italian legislatures.

In short: come for the show, stay for the history lesson... and see it with an Italian resident if you can to enjoy it at its fullest.

By now it is evident that in the Post-network era and when from the zenith the third Golden Age of Television began its inevitable downward parabola no one, including myself, would have expected such a product... especially an Italian one.

M the son of the century is the classic turn of the century, the breaktrough event or, if you like a film allegory better: it is the hero we need but do not deserve. The future of Our television, it is clear, blatant and unashamed that it will be defined by the 'Before M' and the 'After M'.

Beautiful, beautiful series. Monumental every performance. Ficcanti every dialogue. Generative storytelling from history and brought up to date, without ever becoming exhibitionist. A series one step away from hybris without ever crossing the thin line and, because of this, incredibly verisimilitude in its (deliberate) staging between the theatrical and magical realism.

A possible event, because there is a thick book behind it, not only of volume but also of historical research... but also (oh my God, finally!!!) an adequate budget. It matters little that some images are realistically dated in the staging. It doesn't matter. You want the real date? There's the book but in this instalment it was perfectly there.

A futurist Zang Tumb Tumb series like we've needed for a long time. Because, just like futurism, the last true and pure current of thought and artistic movement that since the publication of its manifesto in 1909 has not found to date a worthy new cultural vision that can be described as truly original and not a rinsing of dishes from other shores. This is M. The first of something else in the making that, los peri pernos, will be even more surprising and innovative.

Zang Tumb Tumb.

The film presents the beginnings of Benito Musollini's political career. But to a greater extent it is a study of the creation of a dictatorship. And this is a universal and timeless phenomenon.

What is unusual is the form, which may put off some viewers. The main character often speaks directly to the audience, presents his thoughts and comments on the events taking place, sometimes these allusions are current, e.g. In episode four when he says the slogan MIGA (you will understand when you see it). It is a really great scene.

The film is also quite baroque, at times surreal.

The acting makes a great impression. Luca Marinelli (Musollini) behaves on screen like his prototype. If you know the history and have seen Mussolini's grotesque speeches, you can imagine that this required great skills. Other roles, although episodic, are also worth attention. For example, Benedetta Cimatti is great as the suppressed wife of the Duce.

Due to the specific form of the film, some viewers may be put off by it.

But it's a very good movie.

Interesting drama about the rise to power in Italy of Mussolini. Though did not like when he spoke to the camera as took away the intrigue of it all.

But the real powerhouse of this series is the performance of Luca Marinelli as the dictator, he is truly magnificent and gave out strong reminders of Robert De Niro in his pomp, and dominates every scene he is in Before watching this only really knew of Benito Mussolini from World War Two, so this was an eye opener of a history lesson.

I would be interested in a second series if it happens but mainly just to see Marinelli in action again as he truly is the best thing about it all.