The Sons Room (subtitles)

This Italian film is a study rather than a story. It portrays in a very direct, sensitive and simple way the life of a psychologist and his family before and after a personal tragedy. It is not a special story, it is a typical story and that is its power. It is a normal family with its caring and separations and integrations and loving ties. It becomes a family struck numb with grief and all the normal human reactions to a past occurrence that cannot be changed.

I was impressed by the accuracy with which the family members in the film characterized that mental state we enter in order to handle tragedy. It is a place where reality is incomprehensible and the normal sensory capabilities are turned off. I thought it was very well done. If there is a lesson here, it is the fact that these losses can and will happen to each of us, but when they occur, we are not alone. Such has been the case for centuries of people and their families.

The story includes sessions of the psychologist father with a variety of clients. This mechanism provides a backdrop with which to measure the emotional state of the father. It is a unique way to portray contrast.

One of the certainties is change and there is a final change in the story line that is again, typical of the serendipities of life.

One of the side benefits of the film is a view into the present day upper middle class life of an urban Italian family. The furnishings are nice, the living space uncluttered and decorations are simple. Its a two-earner family and the children are good students, involved in sports.

Nanni Moretti plays Giovanni, the father. He also wrote the screenplay and directed the film. His professional film career began in 1978 with the film Ecce Bombo that has become a cult favorite in Italy.

Laura Morante plays Paolo, the mother. She has had appeared in more than 50 performances, both Film and TV since 1981.

Jasmine Trinca plays Irene, the daughter. This was her first film.

Giuseppe Sanfelice plays Andrea, the son. This was his second film.

Reviewed July 24, 2003