Gabriele Salvatores "Mediterraneo" won the best foreign film at the Oscars and its hard to believe that the Academy didn't have another film to vote for. Not that this isn't a decent film, it is. It definitely has its heart in the right place and actually has a hard statement to make about post war Italy. Eight Italian soldiers in 1941 are sent to a Greek island to make sure its not invaded (Again) but after a while their ship is destroyed and it appears that they are stranded and abandoned by the country that they're fighting for. Eventually the men blend in and grow a real fondness for the land. One of the soldiers marries a local prostitute. Another admits his love for another soldier and a talented and bright officer is asked to paint the inside of the church ala' Michelangelo. ****SPOILER ALERT**** After a few years a British ship shows up to take them home but the soldier who married the prostitute decides to remain behind. Very simple story told in a very beautiful scenic location that is essential to the film. The location has to be beautiful so that we get a sense of not wanting to leave. Its here that the soldiers can relax a bit and reflect on what they're purpose in life is. They also add cynical comments on their own country and how it has turned their back on them. These are the moments that make up for the simple nature of the storytelling. I have to admit that at the beginning of the film I thought I was watching a comedy on the "Travel Channel". But slowly the film begins to make its little statements and ultimately it becomes reminiscent of "Cinema Paradiso". Nice little film that is well photographed but did it really deserve the Oscar?
Review of Mediterraneo
