ALLAN HUNTER at the Movies

POLITICIAN and media mogul Silvio Berlusconi casts a long shadow over the recent history of Italy. Nanni Moretti attempts to confront his influence and his legacy in the wide-ranging satire ‘The Caiman’, a huge European success just before Berlusconi’s fall from power a year ago.

Typically, Moretti’s tale operates on several different levels and ultimately emerges as a film about love, pain and second chances.

The film’s focus is on B-movie producer Bruno Bonomo (Silvio Orlando), a lovable figure who appears to have reached the end of both his personal and professional tether. His films are out of favour, his phonecalls are no longer returned and he is on the brink of bankruptcy.

A dismal point in his career coincides with the gentle collapse of his marriage. Things could not be worse when he is approached by first time director Teresa (Jasmine Trinca), who begs him to read and produce her script ‘The Caiman’. He has little appetite for the project until he realises that it is all about Berlusconi.

He commits himself to the film and it becomes his salvation. You don’t have to know much about Italy to enjoy ‘The Caiman’, but it probably helps to have a little knowledge.

This is a film in which at least three different stories are competing for attention, and Bruno’s personal travails are by far the most beguiling element especially as Silvio Orlando is such an endearing actor.

His artistic reawakening may be symbolic of Moretti’s hopes for the country after Berlusconi’s departure. The film is wry, witty, smart and entertaining but there is an underlying sadness acknowledging that all Italians are the children of Berlusconi and the times that he dominated.

Selected Nationwide release

Director: Nanni Moretti
Stars: Silvio Orlando, Margherita Buy, Jasmine Trinca, Michele Placido, Elio
De Capitani.
Screenwriters: Nanni Moretti, Francesco Piccolo, Federica Pontremoli
Certificate: 12A
Running time: 113 mins
Country: Italy
Year: 2006

© Allan Hunter, 2007