Lascia perdere, Johnny!

A young man tries to avoid military service by stating that he's the only son of a widow mother. He also needs to prove that he's the only bread winner in the family. Does he have a job? Certainly, he plays guitar with a local band. Does he have a contract? Not quite. We're then propelled into the story of Johnny trying to get a signed contract before the due date expires and in so doing we're living his story like he lives it, as an spectator. He observes and learns and so do we. Fabrizio Bentivoglio, one of, if not the, best Italian actor of his generation, makes his feature film directorial debut with this charming, tender, melancholic tale. He also plays the the man - a formerly famous band leader in decline - who will change, presumably, Johnny's life forever. Bentivoglio is truly terrific, his beautiful face is a seriously comic mask of a life lived without a compass. Very encouraging to find an Italian film with a personality of its own. Among the many pleasures to be had, there is a concert under the rain and a wonderful and unrecognizable Lina Sastri as Johnny's mother. Uplifting, smart and very entertaining. I haven't been able to say that about an Italian film in a very long time. Bravo!