The Garden of the Finzi-Continis (Il giardino dei Finzi-Contini) (Vittoria De Sica, 1971)

I am slightly disappointed after such a wonderful experience with de Sica’s previous films. I wasn’t expecting this to be great but still, could’ve been better. I think that because the film was made in 1971 it was lacking some of the neorealist elements that I admired in de Sica’s previous films. For one, there were many kind of corny close-ups when people were talking, with the camera also suddenly quickly zooming in to faces, making us very conscience that we were watching a narrative − I don’t know how much realism is in this. 

Also, there was an overt political context as seen in the conversations − the whole movie was practically about fascism and it wasn’t positive either. Maybe because of the time it was made, with this hindsight, the director was able to almost provide a commentary, whereas films made in the 1940s for instance, were more ambiguous in political nature. Something that reappeared was the element of dark humour, such as when the father of Giorgio lists what Jews are forbidden to do (which violate so many of their rights), before adding something like: “but other than that, we’re lucky”. It almost makes you laugh were it not for the fact it was true. Another instance was when the old, forgetful grandma asks what Giorgio is doing at her home, to which the other lady replies, “Studying”, with the grandma momentarily looking away before asking the same question once again. 

Also, perhaps in the de Sica style, the film ended on a note of uncertainty/sadness, with the Finzi-Continis family taken away with other Jews. Speaking of that family, I also really grew to dislike Micol − just the way she behaved towards the guy who loved her − like playing hard to get but really nice too. She seemed confused about what to do and as a result acted very cruel and unreasonably I thought. I found this film hard to follow, with the different families and all the handsome Italians − who belonged to which family was only made clear as the movie progressed. It just didn’t have as much spark as his earlier films, unfortunately.

2.5/5