Finché c'è prosecco c'è speranza

There's comedy, there's mistery, there's drama. There's an extraordinarily rich cast. There's a wonderful part of Italy. It could have been a masterpiece, but the director's aim was to make just a good "giallo". And so it is.

Funnily enough, I ended up watching this movie at the cinema by pure chance. I really liked it! Finally an Italian movie with taste. Lovely places and intriguing plot. I was pleasantly surprised. Support Italian cinema!

Originally titled "When There's Prosecco, There's Hope", this is a happy, unpretentious murder-mystery comedy, set in a landscape so beautiful that you'll want to fly there and settle down for life. The actors look and talk like real people, but with the bright polish only years in front of the camera can provide. The story-telling is easy-going yet brilliantly plotted. If, when it's over, you don't crave a glass or two of Italian bubbly yourself, there's no life in you

The themes of this film reminded me a bit of one of Donna Leon's murder mystery novels set in Italy called Earthly Remains. However, the plot and characters are entirely different. I really enjoyed all of the dramatic flourishes of this tale, including a silent tribute to giallo films with a big giallo taxi in the first scenes of Finche c'e Prosecco. However, aside from this being a murder mystery set in the Italian countryside the film has little to nothing in common with violent, stylish giallo flicks and more with subtle Agatha Christie style stories with a flawed but lovable detective and nothing too incredibly shocking. The overall subject matter addressed here however is quite serious and timely, which is one of the reasons I've given it such high ratings. The setting and atmosphere are also beautiful and charming.