Giorni e nuvole (2007)

Directed by: Silvio Soldini | 115 minutes | drama | Actors: Margherita Buy, Antonio Albanese, Giuseppe Battiston, Alba Rohrwacher, Carla Signoris, Fabio Troiano, Paolo Sassanelli, Arnaldo Ninchi, Teco Celio, Antonio Carlo Francini, Carlo Scola, Alberto Giusta, Orietta Notari, Nicoletta Maragno, Arianna Comes, Tatiana Lepore Roberto Serpi, Mauro Parrinello, Andrea Sivelli, Fabio Fiori, Marco Salotti, Elsa Bossi, Lisa Galantini, Silvia Gallerano, Daniele Gatti, Marika Ceregini, Michela Carri, Mirella Tacchella, Alessandro Dufour, Luisa Jane Rusconi, Lindamilage Pathmini Fernando, Manuela Parodi , Aldo De Scalzic

If you look closely, suffering is everywhere. A homeless person sleeping under a bridge. A child who will not live long due to a chronic illness. But most of the suffering is invisible. It is kept as hidden as possible. Out of shame. People in need of money, for example, will try to keep up appearances as long as possible. Husbands Michele and Elsa, the main characters of ‘Giorni e nuvole’, also do their best to continue their way of life. Even if they don’t have the money for that anymore. Michele even keeps his wife in the dark about the dire financial situation for a long time.

‘Giorni e nuvole’ (translated: Days and clouds) shows how destructive sudden money shortages and unemployment can be. The misery it causes is like a virus that spreads further and further. Director Silvio Soldini, known for ‘Pane e tulipani’, ‘Brucio nel vento’ and ‘Agata e la tempesta’, realistically portrays the proliferation of this creeping virus. With great eye for detail, he sketches the life of a middle-aged couple with money worries.

The film begins with Elsa’s graduation as an art historian. Michele has organized a huge surprise party. Elsa enjoys it to the fullest. It is a high point in her life. She doesn’t know yet that her husband has been out of work for two months. When he tells her the truth the next day, the world seems to be turned upside down. Their happiness in life slowly begins to crumble. Quarrels and silent reproaches follow one another. The title describes the content of the film well. The days pass as the clouds gather in the initially bright blue sky. Michele and Elsa have each other, but can their love withstand the ongoing decline of their lifestyle? That is the question that the film constantly raises. Does asking this question make for a compelling movie? Not directly.

‘Giorni e nuvole’ is a well-cared-for film with carefully developed characters and beautiful sets, but the story lacks direction. Elsa and Michele’s problems are recognisable, but they are still minor problems. It doesn’t become poignant for a moment, so that the film no longer forces you to watch after an hour. Of course, small suffering can be the subject of a good film. A sharp focus is then necessary. ‘Giorni e nuvole’ continues pleasantly, partly due to the good acting of Margherita Buy and Antonio Albanese. As a drama, however, it lacks the necessary tension after the violent start.