Ernesto *** (2020, Federico Russo, Ilaria Bevere, Rodolfo Cascino-Dessy, Nicoletta Cifariello) – Classic Movie Review 12,376

Federico Russo stars in the Italian 2020 coming-of-age drama film Ernesto as a teenager wandering through the streets of Rome in search of himself.

Ah, yes, the importance of being Ernesto! Writer-directors Alice de Luca and Giacomo Raffaelli’s Italian 2020 coming-of-age drama film Ernesto stars Federico Russo as a teenager wandering in search of himself through the streets of Rome.

The slightly confused young Italian guy Ernesto is on an early-life journey to find himself, and has a fairly hefty sequence of brief impromptu affairs with various and varied young men and women, all of whom seem to think that he is cute and is keeper boyfriend material, though the result is mostly painful to them and to him. It is an awkward growing-up process, admirably well documented and explored in just an hour and a quarter.

The film is attractive, cool, confused and confusing and freewheeling, a bit elusive, like its hero. It’s very smartly and confidently done, capturing the mood and the times and a young life fragrantly. The film is all good, all interesting, all involving, all credible, and quite imaginative too.

Those looking for a traditional story will be frustrated. It is plotless and it is arty, the sound stops suddenly, the shots are artful, the images of Rome and the Romans are teasing and arresting, and it is told in chapter after chapter, but that’s just fine, more than fine. It makes the viewer look and be attentive and aware. You better watch out, something surprising is on the horizon. Well, actually, here it is o  the screen.

© Derek Winnert 2023 Classic Movie Review 12,376

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