This was one of the most ridiculous premises that I have come across in awhile. I kind of missed all of the illness based romances that were so popular for a time, with the exception of Fault in Our Stars (which was decent).
This is the story of Marta, an orphaned ugly duckling who never became a swam and is most likely going to die young because she has Cystic Fibrosis (which I knew as a medical professional even though they never specifically called it that in the film). Marta is very goal driven and is always making to do lists for her and her two best friends (Frederica and Jacopo) who live with her in the city home she inherited from her deceased parents.
Marta, Frederica and Jacopo are very colorful and quirky characters, but they are very close friends who all accompany Marta to her many doctor appointments and treatments. Marta decides she wants to date a hot guy and she sets her target on Arturo. She then proceeds to stalk him both in person and via cyber channels.
When Marta is caught by Arturo he asks what she wants to leave him alone...she says one dinner and he agrees. Only it ends up being dinner with his rich parents during which Marta is brutally honest and ends up walking out. Feeling bad, Arturo asks her out on a real date during which he plays the question game with Marta...five questions nothing but the truth.
By the end of the date, Arturo is charmed and the two start dating in earnest...only Marta doesn't tell Arturo about her illness which puts her at risk.
Completely unbelievable but surprisingly colorful and charming. I ended up liking this film in spite of my preconceived prejudices.
Loved hearing the Italian, which I think is the most beautiful language in the world and I have appreciated quirky characters since Amelie...so this is a soft recommendation from me, but definitely for a certain audience.
I didn't know at the time I watched this film that it was part of a trilogy, but this is the first of three films with Marta and her two best friends.
