QUANTO BASTA/ AS NEEDED
Italy, 2018, 92 minutes, Colour.
Vinicio Marchioni, Valeria Salarino, Luigi Fedele.
Directed by Francesco Falaschi.
The Italian title suggests also “when enough is enough”.
This is an amiable Italian film, the audience soon realising where it is going and having the option to say that it is all predictable or to enjoy going with the unfolding of the plot. This is one of those dramas where a man is challenged to be his better self.
We see Arturo getting out of jail, resuming his life, but discovering that he is a man of his temper, intolerant, and can be physically violent. The authorities arrange for him to do community service – teaching cooking to a range of young men and women with Asperges. There is one particular student, Guido (played by Luigi Fedele in his only film role), severe symptoms, not wanting to be touched, very careful about health and germs, and with a memory for details, able to tell Arturo immediately his whole career and character. The person in charge is Anna, a psychologist who had worked for a law firm and was tired of manipulating the truth for cases and has volunteered to work with the students.
On the one hand, there is the story of Guido, cared for by loving grandparents, but skilled at cooking, an ability to recognise all kinds of tastes in food, wanting to take part in the competition for Young Tuscan Chefs. On the other hand, there is Arturo and his past connections, trying to get help from his expert chef mentor, some shady connections and an offer of working for a company, especially for the opening of a new restaurant in Milan.
Needless to say, Guido nominates Arturo as his mentor for the competition, at two row initially unwilling, but setting out for the competition, Guido with all his symptoms, Arturo and his sharper reactions, the first session of the competition, the judge a past rival with Arturo, interpreting the rules for Guido’s inability to work close to much sound. And, of course, he succeeds in the first round.
Some more complications, Anna arriving, predictable romantic connections, Guido misinterpreting how to respond to the young woman he thinks likes him, learning the lesson, encouragement by Arturo, his not complying with the rules for the menu but the chief chef praising it and affirming him.
And the inevitable, a year later, and Arturo working with the Asperges group, with Anna.
- The title, as explained, knowing when enough is enough?
- Rome, the Centre for the students, the restaurants, Tuscan towns, the competition, Milan and the hotel and kitchen? Atmosphere? The musical score?
- Arturo’s story, getting out of prison, his temper and charges, the revelation about his past, trained by the chef, rivalries, angers and prison? Community care, meeting Anna, meeting the students, Guido and his sensitivities, his encyclopedic recital of life stories and characters, his ability to make lists, recognise menu ingredients? The effect on our two row?
- Guido, his age, Asperges and the symptoms, touch, germs, mental ability? Wanting to participate in the competition? Naming Arturo as his mentor?
- Arturo and his story, going to the chef who taught in, his bad reputation, his shady friend, the meeting, the possibilities of working in the restaurant, the opening in Milan, his preparing a menu, expected in Milan?
- Travelling with Guido, the issue of the driving, the music, the crash and telling? Anna arriving? Upset? The competition, the President of the jury and his past rivalry, the competitors, the young girl pleasant to detail, sitting aside, success?
- Arturo going to Milan, the kitchen, the plans? His calling his teacher chef to help Guido? His return, the two finalists, the menu, success, Guido’s refusal to use the ingredients, losing the trophy? The MasterChef coming, affirming Guido’s menu and condemning the president?
- One year later, Arturo working with the group, the happy ending?
