Film Reviews by None

I am disappointed with myself for giving Woody Allen another chance. It has some stars in it (and that's the point), and Barcelona is a photogenic city, but the weak plot, self conscious voiceover and contrived sexual tension are just too much. It has the director's fantasy-laden paw prints all over it. On the positive side, of course all four main actors do what they can - and they all look good (again that's the point) AND there was one laugh out loud moment. One.

This is truly dreadful. I was taken in by the talented actors in the cast, and they try their best with a plot that is frankly nonsense. There are so many flaws it is difficult to know where to start. But the most obvious problem is that the one sighted person in the hellish vision of a quarantined camp could so easily have been in control all the way through. The great actors in this must surely be embarrassed to have been involved. It's no wonder the various blind charities were outraged.

The story, told from the point of view of a child, Michele, centres around the secret discovery of an appalling and continuing crime in the mafia-steeped south of Italy. Further discoveries force Michele to question his whole world, and result in him wrestling with good versus evil, and questions of loyalty. This is an understated film, beautifully shot, evoking the fears and insecurities of childhood - an original take on the coming of age genre.