Nostalgia
A man returns to his childhood home of Naples in Mario Martone’s contemplative drama.
Francesco Di Leva and Pierfrancesco Favino
Mario Martone’s Nostalgia which is set in Naples may tell a single story but it feels like two films in one. The first half is masterly, but then the whole tone of the film changes and its second-half proves to be not only different in character but disappointing on its own terms. The central figure here is a man in his mid-50s, Felice Lasco (Pierfrancesco Favino), who is first seen on a plane making a very belated return to his own city, Naples. He had left forty years earlier and has set up home in Cairo where he has married an Egyptian, Arlette (Sofia Essaïdi). He has made a successful life for himself but is now back in Naples to look up his aged mother, Teresa (Aurora Quattrocchi). Once there, he realises that he wants to bring his wife over and to settle in Italy. In addition, he finds himself haunted by thoughts of the best friend of his youth, Oreste Spasiano who as an adult (Tommaso Ragno) has become notoriously powerful in Naples as a significant member of the Camorra.
Martone himself was born in Naples and for an hour or so Nostalgia is a piece which rewardingly takes its time soaking in its atmosphere. Photographed tellingly in colour and widescreen by Paolo Carnera, the film shows Felice wandering it streets, often at night, and thinking back on his youthful days there. Changes may have occurred but he is also aware of things that remain the same. Also central here is his reunion with his mother, his discovery that she has been moved out of her old apartment and his endeavours to better her lot in old age. Favino is well cast as Felice, very effectively suggesting his renewed bonding with the city that he had known so well when growing up but also carrying a hint of unease as he is reminded of behaviour that got out of hand in his teenage years. But, fine as Favino is, the performance that stands out is that of Aurora Quattrocchi as the now fragile old mother. Martone’s handling of the feelings of mother and son is done with the greatest delicacy and Quattrocchi who has won awards for her work here fully deserved them.
This section of Nostalgia is slow-paced but perfectly judged and is aided by the editing of Jacopo Quadri. It is also most adroitly written finding apt ways to answer bit by bit the questions that viewers will have been asking about Felice’s past, his character and what prompted his return. When it comes to flashbacks giving us glimpses of Felice and Orestes as teenage friends, the casting neatly matches up with the older actors and these episodes – always clear because presented in a different ratio – are inserted in a way that feels natural. Meanwhile, the film has prepared for a development of the present-day situation by introducing such characters as the local priest Don Luigi (Francesco Di Leva) who deplores the power of the Camorra over his congregation and Raffaele (Nello Mascia) a man who had known the Lasco family when Felice was a boy. Indeed, this far Nostalgia is so well judged that it looks likely to be a masterpiece.
Unfortunately, the second half despite continuing the story becomes far less adroit. Regardless of advice to the contrary, Felice proves determined to seek out Oreste in recognition of their past friendship and so as to make clear to Oreste what happened when he suddenly left Naples. This may give the film a stronger sense of narrative than before but the way in which it develops feels unnecessarily drawn out. There may be a very faint echo here of that British classic The Third Man, but that only serves to remind us of how well that story was developed whereas here some elements call for more exploration despite which the conclusion could be considered all too predictable. It's passible stuff but can't escape coming across as a let-down given that the earlier stages of Nostalgia work so splendidly. Martone is a director far better known in Italy than elsewhere, but the first half of this film marks him out as capable of something truly special when at his best. For that reason and for Quattrocchi, Nostalgia should be seen regardless of its weaknesses.
MANSEL STIMPSON
Cast: Pierfrancesco Favino, Francesco Di Leva, Tommaso Ragno, Aurora Quattrocchi, Sofia Essaïdi, Nello Mascia, Emanuele Palumbo, Artem, Salvatore Striano, Virginia Apicella, Daniela Ioia, Luciana Zazzera.
Dir Mario Martone, Pro Luciano Stella, Roberto Dessa, Maria Carolina Terz and Carlo Stella, Screenplay Mario Martone and Ippolita Di Majo from the novel by Ermanno Rea,, Ph Paolo Carnera, Pro Des Carmine Guarino, Ed Jacopo Quadri, Costumes Ursula Patzak.
Picomedia/Mad Entertainment/Medusa Film/Rosebud Entertainment Pictures-Curzon Film Distributors.
117 mins. Italy/France. 2022. UK Rel: 17 February 2023. Cert. 12A.
