LONE SCHERFIG

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  BBBB.  

Original title:  Italiensk For Begyndere

Denmark/Sweden, 2000.  Danmarks Radio, Det Danske Filminstitut, Zentropa Entertainments.  Screenplay by Lone Scherfig.  Cinematography by Jorgen Johansson.  Produced by Ib Tardini.  Production Design by Jette Lehmann.  Costume Design by Malin Birch-Jensen.  Film Editing by Gerd Tjur. Phoenix Film Critics Awards 2002.   Toronto International Film Festival 2001.

Irresistible romantic comedy made under the strictures of the Dogma film code but just as effective, if not more so, at creating the “feel-good” atmosphere that we’re used to from Hollywood. A wide variety of characters, including a timid hotel manager, a fiery-tempered but sexy restaurateur, a passionate hairdresser, a repressed pastry chef and more all cross paths when they decide to take an Italian language course and inadvertently step into a romantic mess that is a delight to straighten out. The naturalistic lighting, digital video photography and undetectable performances only enhance the experience, making you wish that so-called “reality” television were more like this.