Fresh
Virzi approaches mawkishness but he never crosses the line.
Tom Keogh, Seattle Times
The First Beautiful Thing
2010 · 2h 2m · Not Rated
Comedy, Drama
Directed by
Paolo Virzì
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The First Beautiful Thing
Overview
The film tells the story of the Michelucci family, from the nineteen-seventies to the present day: the central character is the stunningly beautiful Anna, the lively, frivolous and sometimes embarrassing mother of Bruno and Valeria. Everything begins in the Summer of 1971, at the annual Summer beauty pageant held at Livorno’s most popular bathing establishment. Anna is unexpectedly crowned “Most Beautiful Mother”, unwittingly stirring the violent jealousy of her husband. From then on, chaos strikes the family and for Anna, Bruno and his sister Valeria, it is the start of an adventure that will only end thirty years later.
Director and cast
- Paolo Virzì Director
- Valerio Mastandrea as Bruno Michelucci
- Micaela Ramazzotti as Anna Nigiotti in Michelucci - anni '70
- Stefania Sandrelli as Anna Nigiotti in Michelucci 2009
- Claudia Pandolfi as Valeria Michelucci
- Marco Messeri as Il Nesi
- Fabrizia Sacchi as Sandra
- Aurora Frasca as Valeria Michelucci 1971
- Giacomo Bibbiani as Bruno Michelucci 1971
- Giulia Burgalassi Cast
- Francesco Rapalino Cast
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
74%
Tomatometer
Fresh
"The First Beautiful Thing'' is shameless, and, damn it, I cried anyway.
Ty Burr, Boston Globe
Rotten
Occasionally affecting but unremarkable.
Jay Weissberg, Variety
Fresh
Virzi has hit his stride in this polished but delicate comedy-drama.
Natasha Senjanovic, Hollywood Reporter
Fresh
It's filled with its own artfulness and warmth.
Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News
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