Nostalgia – REVIEW

Nostalgia is a remarkable movie that should prove to be one of the most popular cinematic offerings at this year’s Italian Film Festival.

Set in the backdrop of Naples this dark and gritty story asks whether the past should be revisited or whether  it should best be left in the past.

Felice Lasco (Pierfrancesco Favino) returns to Naples after a 40 year absence, having lived in Africa and the middle east. Memories of his youth come flooding back, especially of his friendship with Oreste (Tommaso Ragno) who is now one of the most feared mobsters in Naples.

Felice is warned not to approach Oreste by the local priest, but why is he determined to meet up with him? And why does Oreste advise him to disappear? What secret do they both harbour that can adversely affect them if revealed to law enforcers?

This is a highly crafted suspenseful drama, a nostalgic love letter to Naples – actually a tragic postcard, which resonates how friendships change over time and also how it’s impossible to restore elements from the past.

The criminal element of this picturesque city is also explored, which may lead sensitive audiences to categorize this film as a cautionary tale.

The success of this drama can not only be attributed to the effective performances of the A-list cast, but also to the build up in the storytelling process, the atmospheric suspense which leads to an unpredictable and shocking finale.

Nostalgia imitates life. There aren’t always happy endings. Nostalgic memories rekindled from the past should sometimes best be obliterated, as Felice unfortunately discovered….

★★★★

Screening at the Italian Film Festival Sept 13 – Oct 12