Movie on DVD Review

The Italian (2007)

Reviewed by Kerrie Mitchell | May 18, 2007
EW's GRADE
B

Details Release Date: May 22, 2007; DVD Release Date: May 22, 2007; Movie Rated: PG-13; Genres: Drama, Foreign Language; With: Kolya Spiridonov; Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics

Marooned in the Dickensian squalor of a Russian orphanage, 6-year-old Vanya (Kolya Spiridonov) gets hope for a new life when an Italian couple contracts to adopt him. Vanya, however, has other plans, scheming his way free to find the mother who abandoned him. Andrei Kravchuk's drama seems frontloaded with clich-a e]s (the plucky foundling, the hooker with a heart of you-know-what), but The Italian avoids total pathos with brisk storytelling and moving performances, especially from the self-possessed Spiridonov. EXTRAS None. B

Originally posted May 18, 2007 Published in issue #935 May 25, 2007 Order article reprints
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