NON PENSARCI

Italy, 2007, 105 minutes, Colour.
Valerio Mastrandrea.
Directed by Gianni Zanasi.

Non Pensarci (Don’t Think about It) is an engaging Italian comedy-drama, focused on a dysfunctional family.

The film opens with the central character, Stefano, a member of a band who finds himself with some writer’s block, betrayed by his girlfriend, dissatisfied with his band. He decides to go home to visit his parents. While the reunion is important, he discovers that his younger brother is finding the cherry factory too difficult to manage and is in debt, while his marriage is breaking up. His sister has not completed her degree but is working with dolphins (something which she loves to do). He misinterprets her lifestyle as lesbian and mentions this to his parents, causing them thinking - and some anger on the part of his sister.

The members of the family tend to confide in him. He also re meets his old friends, a security guard and a friend who has had a nervous breakdown and who eventually kills himself, following the only joking comments of the security guard.

The film shows each of the three members of the family as well as the parents. The father is retired, enjoying playing golf, but sees the situation and finds a way of getting some money. The mother, who has a personal secret in her life, follows some New Age guru for liberation and exercise. The sister is involved with a rising politician who has self doubts. The younger brother enjoys his children but when the security guard sends a prostitute, he does not realise this, goes out with her and falls in love with her.

The film has many strands - but, ultimately, the advice of the father is that everybody should follow their own path, whatever they are good at - and the final freeze-frame is the musician actually leaping out to the audience, presuming that they will catch him.

The film is quite humorous in many ways, serious as well. The characters are interesting and engaging.

1.Popular Italian drama, comedy? Engaging? Serious? Themes?

2.The Rome and Florence settings? The ordinary apartments, the studios, the rock concerts, the affluent homes, the factory, the countryside, the aquarium, the cemetery? Authentic? The realism?

3.The musical score, the blend of contemporary songs and opera, Chopin and popular music?

4.The title, the tone, in relation to each of the characters, the suggestions?

5.The focus on Stefano: his age, midlife, the family, home, old friends, his band, playing, falling? The infidelity of his girlfriend, leaving, going home to his family, his expectations, his reasons? His journey – and the journey of each of the family and friends? The factory, the revelations about the business, his encouragement – and his freefall at the end?

6.The portrait of his family: the parents, the long marriage, the father and his work, his heart attack, playing golf? The mother, her fussing, her New Age enthusiasms, courses, freedom? Her worry? Michela – giving up her study, working with the dolphins, her own apartment, the relationship with Laura? Stefano’s comment that she was lesbian? Her reaction? Her relationship with the politician? Alberto, younger, fat, the break-up of his marriage, relationship with his wife and fighting with her, the children and his love for them? The factory, managing it, the losses? Stefano and his involvement in all their lives?

7.The portrait of a family: the good father, going to the factory, his friend and getting the investment? The mother, her worrying about the lesbian issue, going to the funeral, the revelation to Stefano about his father? Michela and her work? Their all helping in the factory, the resentments? Stefano and his mistake about the lesbianism, meeting the politician?

8.Alberto, his character, the past, hassled, his reactions, eruptions? The factory and its failure? His not telling his father? The clashes with his wife, his taking the children out, his talking with Stefano, fighting with him, drinking, Stefano’s help? The accidents in the factory, the spillages, the staff and their concern about finance? His friends? Their getting him linked up with Nadine, talking with Nadine, enjoying her company, the camomile tea, taking her out, the special things like ringing the doorbells? Her telling him the truth about herself? His shock but accepting it? Drinking, concern? The end and the possible reunion with his wife?

9.The security guard, the friendship with Stefano and Alberto, the man with the breakdown, his odd behaviour, ousted from the bar? The joke about killing himself? His following through? The funeral and their attendance? The security guard and his regretting his joke?

10.Nadine, her beauty, manner, the phone call to check about Alberto, enjoying going out with him, telling him the truth?

11.The politician, their going to him for help for money, his not being able to give it, his low self-image, getting Stefano to come to the party, play Chopin, Stefano turning up to the group and playing? His relationship with Michela? Asserting himself?

12.Stefano and the visit to Michela at the aquarium? Discussions with her, working in the factory, the assistant and her help with information, going to meet with the union chief – and their past friendship, the discussions? On the floor of the factory? With the kids, driving fast, running to break the speed limit? Their mother’s reaction? The outing to the fair, Alberto and the rides?

13.The revelation to Stefano, the effect on him, going to the cemetery, needing Michela, not telling her the truth? The final talk with his father – and his father’s encouraging him in his talent?

14.His return to his music, learning to trust – and the final freefall image?