Bread and Tulips (2000)

Italy's magical fantasy of midlife crisis and rebirth in Venice, the city of lovers, swept the Italian film awards and charmed all of Europe. Director Silvio Soldini turns the tourist mecca of piazzas, canals, and stone bridges into a quaint little village out of time and fills the film with the charm of the city and the gentle quirks of his delightful cast. Licia Maglietta is winning as Rosalba, the frustrated and ignored middle-aged mom who impulsively takes a vacation from her family. She hitchhikes to Venice and falls for lonely, suicidal Icelandic waiter-poet Bruno Ganz (whose soulful, sad eyes recall his fallen angel from Wings of Desire), blossoming as she rediscovers her smile and joy for life. Sweetly sexy and beautifully shot, this story of second chances may not be original or surprising (think Shirley Valentine), but it's no less lovely or enchanting for it. --Sean Axmaker Amazon.com

Love, Love, Love

I really enjoyed this movie.
It's a beautiful romantic comedy in an Italian setting.
Makes you want to live in Venice.
What I love about European movies is that they focus on the actors and rely upon them to make the story beautiful. They always make sure to show the beauty and culture of Europe. Fascinating.
I think more women than men would enjoy this movie. I think it comes from a woman's point of view wanting to find something new and exciting in her life and not having any family obligations.
August 15, 2008

Charming, funny, feel-good film...

Rosalba, played by Licia Maglietta, is a married, middle aged, Italian woman with two teenage sons. The family is on vacation and Rosalba gets left behind at a bus stop leaving her to think that something is missing in her life and that she is being taking for granted. Rather than wait for the bus and her family to come back to retrieve her, she hitch hikes her way to Venice - where she finds her independence and her worth. She gets a job. She meets new friends. She finds music that she set aside since childhood. She finds beauty, passion and poetry. During this time, her husband, a successful kitchen and bathroom fixture distributor, sends a hired, overweight mamma's boy plumber-made-detective out to find her and bring her back - and these plumber-made-detective scenes are hilarious.

The movie has engaging characters, especially Rosalba who has a captivating spirit and manner about her that is central to this film. The cinematography is gorgeous with moonlit town squares, Venice streets and neighborhoods, rivers and shops - all that make you want to jump in a plane a fly to Venice. While the ending is sudden and leaves some open ends, this is a must see, feel-good movie where you find yourself smiling throughout.
April 19, 2008

bread and tulips

The film is supposed to have subtitles. Well there are a few so far spaced out that it is ridiculous and when they do appear they often do not make sense. Very disapointed as we were not able to follow the film very well at all. January 12, 2008

italian semi-romance

Good Italian movie. Enjoyed scenery and following the life of a Italian women unhappy with her married life and her great escape from loneliness to happiness. July 10, 2007

Entertaining Movie

I never heard of this movie but I took a chance. Sure glad I did. It's amusing, entertaining, and heartwarming. No special effects, stunts, or things getting blown up here - just a fun story with lovable characters. July 7, 2007

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