Movie critique by Kate Pulzone on “ITALIAN FOR BEGINNERS”

This romantic comedy has received high praise by critics everywhere: People Magazine called it “delightful” and Rolling Stone “Sweetly Sexy, Funny and Touching”. Danish with English subtitles.

The story is about 7 strangers in a Danish suburb who’s lives are full of one crisis or another who someone get involved in each other’s lives by one simple act: they all decide to take Italian language classes. Naturally, in this small rainy suburb, this mismatched collection of people with not a thing in common, find that the Italian lessons gives a little spice to their lives and they plan a trip to Italy. All of them seeking romance to brighten their lives, had actually given up hope of having a reason to look forward to another day living in this dull and dreary suburb. They all thought they had experienced everything life would offer until they go to Italy.

I found myself laughing while watching this movie because it’s really about a bunch of nutty people that I didn’t think I would gravitate to, and then I found myself hooked. It is really quite wonderful, different, and again, you think these people aren’t actors but instead, it’s as if you have entered their little suburb and watch how life sheds happiness on these people. Of course watching their faces as they see the Grand Canal in Venice for the first time, just grabs at my heartstrings because director Lone Scherfig does a beautiful job in capturing Italy.