Bread and Tulips

Rosalba Barletta (Licia Maglietta) is content with her life, or so it would seem; she's a housewife with two sons-- aged sixteen and eighteen-- and a husband, Mimmo (Antonio Catania), who sells bathroom fixtures. Her contentment, though, is perhaps due to the fact that she's never considered the possibility of anything being otherwise. But that changes when, while on vacation with the family, she is inadvertently left behind at a stop. She watches the tour bus pull away and suddenly realizes that her husband and boys haven't even missed her.

She decides to hitchhike home, but on the way, she decides to take a vacation of her own first. One of her rides is headed to Venice, a city to which she has never been but always wanted to go, and so she makes that her destination. And her vacation soon becomes more than that; it becomes an experience that opens up a whole new perspective on life to her, an adventure that reawakens her senses and fills her with an appreciation of life and what love really is. There is bad with the good, however, as it also makes her a woman torn between her old life with the family she loves but who take her for granted, and a new life, in which real love and personal fulfillment is possible. Whatever she decides, one thing is certain: This is one vacation Rosalba is never going to forget.

Director Soldini has crafted and delivered an engaging and thoroughly involving and thoughtful film that grabs hold of the viewer and sweeps you along with it. It's funny, romantic and poignant, with a pure joy for life at it's heart; a romantic film in every sense of the word. Soldini tells Rosalba's story in a way that makes you more than a mere observer, but one who is sharing her life and all that she is feeling. Rosalba is someone you care about, and it's because Soldini has taken great care in attempting to establish that necessary connection between his character and the audience-- and he succeeds. He sets a perfect pace, in that Rosalba's growth and awareness is gradual, the product of subtle exploration rather than epiphany, which makes all that transpires entirely credible. And in the same way, it serves the credibility of the other characters, as well. It's a very grounded presentation that gives the sense of everything happening in real time; Soldini never allows the story to get ahead of itself, and that's part of the bond he's created that allows the audience to keep living it rather than just watching.

The insightful screenplay by Soldini and Doriana Leondeff makes for an engaging film to begin with, but without question, what really sells it is the wonderful performance by Licia Maglietta as Rosalba. Honest and earthy, her portrayal is entirely convincing and believable; she opens up her character and lets you in, where you discover an inner beauty that is vibrant and endearing. And you realize how much Rosalba has to give, and how much she wants to give-- and it's a touching experience; this is a woman who receives by giving, and it's gratifying to encounter that kind of charity of soul, and moreover, to see it rewarded in kind. Most importantly, Maglietta's performance inspires a greater understanding of the human condition; by experiencing the rewards of discovering who Rosalba really is, one may be inclined thereafter to look deeper into others, to reflect upon the nature of those perhaps taken for granted for too long. And the fact that such an impact can be made through a character in a film attests to the talent and ability of Maglietta, who-- something of a cross between Sophia Loren and Giulietta Masina-- has an absorbing screen presence, and plays Rosalba so beautifully.

Bruno Ganz also gives a memorable performance as Fernando Girasoli, the man who befriends Rosalba in Venice. His portrayal is so subtle and understated, and so giving, in that he allows the focus to remain on Rosalba at all times, that the full impact of his character kind of sneaks up on you. The initial meeting between Rosalba and Fernando is so indifferent that he at first appears to be nothing more than a peripheral character in the drama. And it demonstrates how wonderfully Soldini and his actors have integrated the characters with the story to make it play out in such real terms. It's an affecting performance by Ganz, who sparks an unlikely chemistry with Maglietta that works so well on the screen.

Also turning in performances worthy of mention are Marina Massironi, as Rosalba's friend, Grazia, the holistic beautician/masseuse; and Giuseppe Battiston, as Costantino, the hapless plumber/detective.

The supporting cast includes Felice Andreasi (Fermo), Tiziano Cucchiarelli (Nic), Matteo Febo (Salvo), Tatiana Lepore (Adele) and Vitalba Andrea (Ketty). Highly entertaining and thoroughly involving on a very personal level, "Bread and Tulips" is a film that provides an unforgettable emotional experience; one that promotes a deeper understanding of human nature by allowing you to get outside of yourself, which ultimately affords a fresh perspective on life and the way we live it.


Transcending the Romantic Comedy Genre!   April 19, 2002
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

Bread and Tulips is wonderful! The DVD cover says it was nominated for international awards and won at least 9 awards; it fully deserves them all!
Its simple tale has all the power and universal grandeur of a classical Greek myth or parable. Mainly set in present-day Venice (probably the world's most romantic city with a poignancy, poetry, and proximity to mythical power uniquely its own), it charts the emotional rebirth of a woman who, at movie's start, has become an awkward stranger to the vibrant beauty of her very own heart.
The lady's emotional healing slowly touches the lives of others in similar emotionally-bereft lives and, with a wonderful economy of psychological insight into the characters, everyone's everyday tragedies transform into meaningful uplifting relationships with a shared music and mutually-loving harmony.
Bread and Tulips is most easily defined as a romantic comedy; yet, it transcends most other modern movies of that genre insofar as it fully honors human emotions and never ridicules or devalues them. A wonderful and heartwarming emotional education of a movie with superb acting igniting it from start to finish; fully recommended.


Where else but in Venezia???   September 4, 2001
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

"La Serenissima"...where fantasy abounds and romance awaits at every turn, even in Venice's back streets and hidden "calli." Licia Maglietta's expressive face really lights up this film, although all of the performances are strong. She has the charisma of a slightly-younger Norma Aleandro, and her comic timing is just about perfect. The film is peopled with wonderfully quirky characters and is very funny, especially if you're a student of the Italian language. I give it my highest rating (two wire whisks and a chicken leg.)


Touching and Rewarding   February 6, 2003
chefdevergue (Spokane, WA United States)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful

In the hands of directors and actors less patient and subtle, this film could have simply come across as contrived and stupid; fortunately, we are dealing with a director who allows the story to unfold gradually, so that we more fully connect with the characters within. And those characters are played by actors who are not given to chewing up scenery, but instead give wonderfully understated perfomances, particularly in the case of Bruno Ganz.

At the center of the story are two people who have basically allowed life and circumstances roll over them like a steamroller. Rosealba is a housewife whose whole being has been given over to tending to the needs of her utterly indifferent family. The husband's only attention is abusive, while the sons are supremely self-absorbed.

On the other end is Fernando, the depressed and suicidal Icelandic waiter, who has to be one of the bleakest characters I have encountered in a long time.

Both characters have lost contact with the things that truly bring joy into their respective lives. Both love music and dancing, and have done neither for years. When Rosealba, while on a vacation tour with her family, is forgotten and left behind at a busstop, something inside her snaps and she takes matters into her own hands. Pursuing her own self-interest for perhaps the first time in her life, she makes her way to (unbelievably dry and unpolluted --- ah the movies) Venice, where she encounters a variety of friends and opportunities that awaken in her the desires and interests that have lain dormant for so long. I particularly enjoyed watching her play the accordion, as she gets very up close and personal with her instrument. Anyone who is a musician with any skill can relate to the deep emotional bond that can develop between player and instrument, which is a unique bond. That bond was very well portrayed here.

Eventually she is tracked down by a barely competent detective (possessing perhaps the most annoying cell phone in the world), and is made to feel guilty for abandoning her obligations to her family. She faces up to her responsibilities and returns home. The movie could have perhaps ended at this point, leaving us a little depressed and wondering what might follow. I would have preferred an ending along these lines, because it forces the movie viewer to ponder what the future for these characters might be.

However, the movie cruises along and wraps up with a happy ending, as Fernando, for perhaps the first time in his life, takes matters into his hands and launches an expedition to retrieve Rosealba. He succeeds, and the circle of friends (which now includes a much happier detective) returns to Venice, presumably to live happily ever after.

Even with an ending as cheesy as that, the performances by the actors allow the viewer to look beyond the occasional flaws of the movie and appreciate what is overall a very satisfying production.


Wonderful Film!   October 18, 2004
C. Potocki (Highland, Indiana)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

My wife & I had heard what a good movie "Bread & Tulips" was and missed it at the theater, so we decided to wait until it was out on video and rent it. The wait was well worth it, as this film is an absolute delight!

By the mid-point of the film, you completely empathize with the lead charcater, Rosalba, first after she is left behind on a bus trip, and everything she has to endure from her dependent family; especially her hotheadedly jealous and cheating husband, who views Rosalba as nothing more than a housemaid expected to cook, clean and do laundry.

With wonderful performances by the entire cast, as well as breathtaking scenes on location in Venice, "Bread & Tulips" is a fantastic movie that you will watch again & again!