Pranzo di ferragosto (2008)

Well, 2009 is almost over and we have just seen one of the movies that will obviously make this year's final top 10 best films. Pranzo di ferragosto (Mid-August Lunch) is a meandering and ever-so-patient study of a farcical situation in the life of middle aged Giovanni (Gianni Di Gregorio) who lives in a tiny apartment in Rome with his decrepit mother (Valeria De Franciscis). Through a series of events, three other elderly matrons (Marina Cacciotti,Maria Calì and Grazia Cesarini Sforza) join them for a claustrophobic couple of days, and through the benign, alcohol infused and respectful behaviour of Giovanni, the initial bad feeling between the women develop into a joyful friendship.
This is director Di Gregorio's first feature, and in a sweet (but never sentimental ) way, he subtly has a great deal to say about old age, respect, friendship and coping, but does so without the usual foray into patronising stereotypes and exploiting the elderly. I loved it.
9/10