My Brother is an Only Child
Stars: Elio Germano, Riccardo Scamarcio
Director: Daniele Luchetti
*** (out of five)
Sibling rivalry may not exactly be a groundbreaking notion in cinema, but sibling rivalry based on the opposing ideologies of Fascism and Communism in 1960�s Italy is � well, you don�t see that everyday.
In My Brother Is An Only Child, filmmaker Daniele Luchetti explores the diametrically-opposed ambitions of two brothers of the same family. Whereas older, handsome Manrico (Riccardo Scamarcio) fights for the rights of the working class, little brother Accio (Elio Germano) is an outright Fascist, getting into scraps and idolizing his hero Mussolini. You can obviously see how they might not get along. Intimidated by the politics of 1960s Italy, you say? No worry. As Luchetti has insisted, �the film does not take a political stand; it talks about people who take stands.�
And it does that well. Ultimately, My Brother isn�t so much about two siblings fighting for their ideologies as it is about two brothers fighting for their identity; a struggle that is heightened once Accio falls in love with Manrico�s girlfriend. This film works because Luchetti captures honest moments of realism and humour. Even if the political details of the day lose you, My Brother still succeeds as an excellent portrait of what it�s like to come of age in 1960s Italy.
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