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An epileptic 12-year-old girl, Pippi, is hospitalized in the psychiatric ward instead of the neurological ward, due to an administration error. Out of this mistake begins the difficult journey towards being cured.

I saw this film in Munich over a year ago, by mistake. I was pleasantly surprised though. At that time, I found it touching but also slightly boring. I gave it a 6 out of 10. Today, I still can&#39;t forget this film, even though I see approximately one new movie per day. I just can&#39;t forget the young epileptic girl&#39;s face. Today I&#39;m thinking of rating it a 8.

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Il grande cocomero

Caught up with this film recently when it showed on a cable channel. Out main interest was watching Sergio Castellitto, the wonderful Italian actor who has been delighting our movie experience since the 1980s. This was obviously a vehicle for Mr. Castellitto, who shines in the film. Written and directed by Francesca Archibugi, whose work in &quot;Towards Evening&quot; had impressed us. It is a story that involves a young psychiatrist, Arturo, who is employed in the Italian public system. The hospital to which Arturo is assigned to, has a good reputation in the way it treats small children, which is the motive for Valentina&#39;s parents to bring her there to check her for symptoms that point out to some sort of epilepsy. The children&#39;s ward is full to capacity, but Arturo sees the possibility to treat the girl. Valentina, who is better known as Pippi, rebels at first. She is facing a tough situation at home, where her parents are battling each other, something that causes anxiety, as well as fear in the young Pippi. Arturo, has reasons to believe there is much more to what is causing Pippi&#39;s malady. He decides to go on a hunch to wean the girl from the medicine she has been prescribed by other physicians. The film concentrates on the hospital life and the way Pippi responds to the other young patients. Sergio Castellitto has a good opportunity as the doctor with a heart. Anna Galiena is seen as Pippi&#39;s mother Cinthya, a woman who obviously does not understand what is happening to her daughter. Alessia Fugardi, who was making her screen debut, shows quite an intensity as she approaches the way to pay her character. She surprises because she must have been around twelve at the time the production was made. Ms. Fugardi held her own against veteran actors.

Another example of why European cinema throws up so many more interesting films than our American counterparts. And why is this? Because they usually deal with humanity rather than machinery. 
Il Grande Cocomero delivers characters you can identify with, multi-dimensional people, foibles and all, that are totally recognisable and there&#39;s not one special effect in sight. This film puts humanity first, and is so much the richer for that. A little gem.

User reviews

Il grande cocomero

Unforgettable and moving

Watermelon man

A delightful piece of Italian cinema

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