THE LIFE AHEAD/ LA VITA DAVANTI A SE

Italy, 2020, 94 minutes, Colour.
Sophia Loren, Ibrahima Gueye, Abril Zamora, Babak Karimi, Josif Diego Pirvu, Massimiliano Rossi.
Directed by Eduardo Ponti.

Here is Sophia Loren, aged 85, coming out of retirement, offering a very strong performance. And she is directed by her son, Eduardo Ponti.

The film is a version of the novel by Romain Gary. It had been filmed in 1979 with Simon Signoret as Madame Rosa. Now Sophia Loren is Madame Rosa, living in a southern Italian coastal town. She is a survivor of the Holocaust, has worked as a prostitute, has become hardened to life – though bonding world with some of the characters in the town, especially a storekeeper and a doctor.

She is asked to take care of a young boy who is in trouble. She resists. Eventually, she bonds with the boy. Another significant character in the story is Lola, transgender, who obviously has her own struggles in life.

At the end, Madame Rosa dies and is buried – and there is grief in those who loved her, and in the sympathetic audience.

1. A story about the poor of this world? Holocaust survivor? Migrants from Africa?

2. Based on the novel by Romain Gary, a remake of Madame Rosa with Simone Signoret?

3. The settings, the Italian coast, the water, the roads, homes, shops? An authentic feel? The musical score?

4. The story of Momo, the opening, his fleeing from Lola, the action going back six weeks, Momo story, stealing the candlesticks in the market, Madame Rosa’s reaction, his taking them to the dealer, sent away? His being in the care of Dr Cohen, the doctor returning the candlesticks to Madame Rosa, arguing that she should take Momo in charge for some time, her reluctance, the money, accepting him, his room? With the other children? His surly manner?

5. Madame Rosa, her age, the Auschwitz numbers on her arm, her past life of prostitution, her life of caring for children of prostitutes, for orphans? Her friendship with Dr Cohen and his concern about her health? Her friendship with the proprietor of the shop and persuading him to take Momo? Her moods, demanding, not particularly liking Momo, the interactions in the house, her being demanding?

6. Sophia Loren, at 85, the performance, screen presence, working with her son?

7. Lola, the story, transgender, a former boxer, her boy, mothering? Her appearance, her voice? Working as a prostitute? Her father, not knowing what had happened, the invitation, her decision to go to see him, taking the boy?

8. Momo and his drug dealing, considerable success, even at school, his boss, payment, clash with the older dealer, going to see his boss, giving up his drug round?

9. The shopkeeper, his rug, needing mending, Momo and his eventually working on it, the symbolism of the lion? Talking, Momo reacting against him, the reconciliation? Father figure? Momo trying to set him up with Madame Rosa?

10. Madame, walking the town, wandering off, her sitting without expression, Momo trying to arouse her, the beginning of her dementia? Her special room?

11. Momo, the story of the lioness, his imagination?

12. Madame, becoming ill, in hospital, Momo and a wheelchair, taking her out, the exertion, taking her to the room, caring for her?

13. Lola returning, chasing Momo, the room, Madame dead?

14. The sadness of the funeral, the Jewish ritual, Lola present, the doctor, the man from the shop – and Momo seeing the lioness at the cemetery?

15. Themes of human nature, self-assertion, friendships, love?