Sweet Dreams

Fiction can move us deeply when we can relate to the stories being told. Otherwise, it's merely entertainment, which can be just as enjoyable and useful, but most certainly not moving.

According to your own personal views and background, you may find this melancholic tale about a child loosing his mother heart-wrenching, devastating or run-of-the-mill.

I was so involved that I lost track of technicalities almost immediately and was sucked into the tale of 9 yo Massimo and his painful growing up without his loving mother and with an almost uncaring father.

Personality disorders are to be expected and in fact it is amazing how well - given the circumstances - Massimo coped. However, there is a final mystery to be discovered before Massimo can find closure.

Back to technicalities, I did not like much the continuous moving back and forward, because they were not linked to the development of the plot and I don't even like much Mastandrea as the grown-up Massimo. Mastandrea is an actor who seems incapable of emoting and detachment is a main part of his screen persona. However, despite these minor issues, I really liked the movie.