Laços de Afeto

A film about a specific family, but also about all families.

First the amazing actors and their characters: Francesco Scianna is Simone, measured, authentic, exciting. Filippo Timi ( I loved him in Vincere) is Paolo, histrionic but credible and funny. Francesco Gheghi is Leone their young son and faces all the insults of fate with moving dignity, energy and passion.

All the other actors are well directed and give intense performances that matches that lead roles, but international star Jodhi May has a pivotal role as Leone' "dede" (surrogate mom) and her scenes are the peak of the emotional wave I've received watching this film.

Marco Simon Puccioni is a director mostly known for his serious committed social dramas, but here embraces a mix of comedy and drama with grace and fun to shake prejudices more effectively than his previous films.

Remarkably Valeria Golino is in this film in the unusual producer's role.

I can predict a remake in other languages of a script that works with great balance between comedy and drama and is full of surprises.

Finally, an Italian Netflix Original that I really like!

I totally disagree with whoever wrote that this movie does not serve gay couples. Thousands of heterosexual and homosexual people have written about how they identified with this film. The protagonists with all their flaws and mistakes are as human and imperfect as everyone else. The comment seems really obtuse to me because whoever wrote it did not understand that the meaning of the film is to celebrate the right to exist of this type of families starting from their failure. You don't have to be perfect to be accepted! And yes, many of the filmmakers in this movie are openly gay and lgbt + rights activists.

The Invisible Thread is a nice little treat for those who love sweet familial stories. The film actually offers nothing new. All is been done before. However, the tweak on the details gave a fresh breath of air to the tired formula, hence it's still fun to watch. Practically harmless and heartwarming.

How can you make a dramatic movie that is also super funny? A movie that is light but also carries some heavy message and social awareness in it? Well this movie gives this a go or a try ... and it mostly succeeds in my book.

Yes it is rough around the edges, but that does not make it bad - you have to suspend your disbelief in certain areas and just let yourself go ... and be led by the really good actors and a good script that gives them things to do. Not all things are easy to solve - and life can be more than challenging. Especially when it is filled with prejudices and people who are stuck with certain ideas ... not able to understand ... or willing to learn.

Now clash those things with marital problems and coming of age issues ... you could say that the movie packed a bit ... too much, but on the other hand it is really good in balancing those things out and giving the characters room to breathe ... and us entertainment ... that aims for the heart - well mainly. Don't be ashamed if you shed a tear or two.

This was a very pleasant surprise. It's a nice change to have a film with gay characters that isn't about coming out. It's a serious film with a tremendous amount of comedy - bordering on farce. But has something to say. The acting is very well done. Just a very enjoying movie to watch.