LASCIAMI ANDARE/ YOU CAME BACK
Italy, 2020, 98 minutes, Colour.
Stefano Accorsi, Valeria Golina, Maya Sansa, Serena Rossi, Antonio Truppo, Lino Musella.
Directed by Stefano Mordini.
For audiences who have happy memories of Venice, this is a strong reason for seeing this film. Throughout the drama, there are wonderful views of the canals, the buildings, San Marco underwater, travelling on the canals…
On the one hand, there is a realism thread throughout the drama, the opening with a couple and their young child, buying a house in Venice, establishing themselves. Then the action moves on eight years, indicating the accidental death of the young boy and the consequences for each of the parents. The father, Marco, deeply upset, blaming himself, married again, his wife expecting a child. On the other hand, the mother, Clara, has been deeply affected emotionally, has moved to a new relationship but is brittle. Marco is a successful engineer, visiting his building sites. And he consults his father, an academic.
On the other hand, there is a mysterious thread throughout the drama, introduced by a divorcee, Perla, who pursues Marco to tell him that they have bought the old house, that her son encounters the spirit of his son, is disturbed. There has been a suggestion initially, with the estate agent highlighting the light from the canals reflected on a white wall of a room, beauty, but ghostly. Marco also discusses issues with his father who is an expert on Eastern philosophies, life and continuity of life, life after death.
Perla continues to approach Marco, also goes to his wife, indicating that she would like to sell the house and that they might like to buy it back again.
Again, on the realistic level, Marco is angry with Perla, investigates her, finds he has a dubious financial background, fraud accusations, not to be trusted. On the mysterious level, Clara persuades him to consult a psychic who has a reputation for putting parents in touch with dead children. The psychic seems to succeed but Marco breaks it off.
For sceptics, there seem to be quite rational explanations as to what has gone on, reality, harsh feelings of blame and sorrow, consequences. For those who appreciate something beyond the natural, there are indications as the film develops that there might be some truth in the appearances of the little boy in the house.
The strong cast led by Stefano Accorsi is Marco with international star, Valeria Golina as Perla.
- The Italian title, Let Me Go? The English title, You Came Back?
- Venice, the range of vistas of the city, canals, buildings, high water in San Marco…? The musical score?
- The interiors, homes, different storeys, staircases? Offices? Building sites? Atmosphere? The light on the wall, the reflection, the ghostly effect?
- Marco and Clara, finding the house, the baby, building a life? The transition to 8 years later? Information about the death of Leo, the visuals of his fall? Marco and Clara separated? Marco with Anita, the news of her pregnancy? Joy? Marco visiting his father, advice? The meeting with Clara, her being upset, leaving the restaurant? Marco and his work as an engineer, the building site, the workers?
- Marco and the encounter with Perla, her story, occupying the building, her son, the story of his encountering Leo, upset, the details of the story? Marco, leaving, her pursuing him, thinking of selling the building? Marco and his visit to the estate agent, suspicions about Perla? His googling, her story, the American marriage, divorce, details of fraud? Her fraud in Venice, lies about the building development, Swiss financing? Marco costing her in the restaurant?
- Marco, his relationship with his father, academic, his father and his expertise, Eastern philosophies, life, continuity of life, death?
- Marco, his going to the AA meetings, friendship with Gloria, support? The details about Leo, his suspicions of Gloria, the paid flight to Marrakesh? Her chatting with Perla and giving her the information?
- Marco going to the house with Clara, Perla, her son giving the testimony and explanations? Marco following him, on the ferry, to buy the games for him, expecting the boy to deny everything, the boy saying his mother was upset because of his experiences with Leo?
- The pressure on Marco from Clara, her wanting some sign of Leo? The decision to go to the clairvoyant, the experience, holding hand, is detail about Leo and his death, the bear? Marco leaving?
- Marco and the tensions with Anita, her leaving, the pregnancy tests, his going to visit?
- Marco and his visit to the clairvoyant, the fact that he knew the details, yet his being convinced that he was genuine?
- Marco, with Anita, the birth of their child? Happiness?
- The finale, Marco and the clairvoyant – inconclusive? Clara going into the house, the image of Leo in the light on the wall?
- Ambiguity for believing the rational and the ghostly?
