Pinocchio (B or 3/4 stars)
Walt Disney gave us the animated classic 'Pinocchio' back in 1940. Italian actor/director Roberto Benigni {who won an Academy Award for 1997's Life is beautiful & leapt on top of a chair from excitement} gave us a version in 2002 that was unsatisfactory. And now, director Matteo Garrone employs Benigni again, but as carpenter Geppetto, for this uniquely baroque 2020 version; a fairy tale that lands closest in spirit to Carlo Collodi's 1883 creation.
Action starts after Geppetto - who has no child of his own - discovers that his latest wood creation can talk, act like a 'real boy' & has a beating heart. After Geppetto drops Pinocchio off for his 1st day of school, unbeknownst to him, our wooden protagonist never attends class; instead, he is led astray & sets off on a series of misadventures beginning with circus manager, Mangiafuoco (Gigi Proietti), who realizes he's not a good fit for his puppet show.
After that, the misadventures/life lessons only continue: a talking Cricket sets Pinocchio straight; Cat & Fox lift him in the air to pull gold coins off a tree; later, some bandits actually leave him hanging - lynched-style - from another tree {quite the harrowing image}; he visits the Land of Toys & the Field of Miracles; after this, he gets some respite by having a fateful meeting with the beautiful, ethereal Fairy with Turquoise Hair & her Snail housekeeper {loved that visual creation}; at one point, Pinocchio experiences a growing nose which extends with each lie that he utters; at another point, he is transformed into a CGI donkey; later, he ends up inside an enormous Whale - where he reunites with Geppetto, who also happens to be inside said whale {however unlikely that would be}; and Pinocchio exchanges poignant words of wisdom with a Talking Tuna Fish before the Fairy with Turquoise Hair {whose age changes throughout the film} grants him the wish of becoming a real boy.
Matteo Garrone brings sumptuousness & a darkly whimsical feel for us to get lost in, here. First, I must commend the visual feast on display, starting with 2-time Academy Award winner Mark Coulier & Co., whose make-up work on every creature we encounter is truly masterful. Add to that some brilliant practical special effects, glowing Tuscan landscapes, some stellar CGI, warm-hued cinematography, realistic shots of poverty-stricken rural Italy, gorrrrgeous production design, intricately ornate costume design, & a rich, melodic music score from Academy Award winning Dario Marianelli {from Atonement} and you've got quite the picturesque tableaux & spectacle for our eyes & ears to experience.
All the actors do their job, and do it well. Roberto Benigni brings a lovely low-key vibe to Geppetto - who we really only see in the beginning & end. Gigi Proietti - who died shortly after making this film at age 80 - is a solid Mangiafuoco. And young newcomer Federico Ielapi makes for a cute Pinocchio; even though he's kinda creepy in wooden form - cuter as a real boy.
The result of all of this is a bizarre extravaganza that may delight children & adults alike. Yes, it's in the Italian language {though, offered in English dubbing, too}. Yes, it's a bit too long. And no, it's not the most emotionally resonant movie you'll ever experience - there is something abstract & episodic about the storytelling that gives off a detached feeling as you watch. But future adaptations {in the works} such as Guillermo Del Toro's animated offering & Robert Zemeckis' live-action take will have quite a bit to live up to in the wake of this rich & lavish production.
Action starts after Geppetto - who has no child of his own - discovers that his latest wood creation can talk, act like a 'real boy' & has a beating heart. After Geppetto drops Pinocchio off for his 1st day of school, unbeknownst to him, our wooden protagonist never attends class; instead, he is led astray & sets off on a series of misadventures beginning with circus manager, Mangiafuoco (Gigi Proietti), who realizes he's not a good fit for his puppet show.
After that, the misadventures/life lessons only continue: a talking Cricket sets Pinocchio straight; Cat & Fox lift him in the air to pull gold coins off a tree; later, some bandits actually leave him hanging - lynched-style - from another tree {quite the harrowing image}; he visits the Land of Toys & the Field of Miracles; after this, he gets some respite by having a fateful meeting with the beautiful, ethereal Fairy with Turquoise Hair & her Snail housekeeper {loved that visual creation}; at one point, Pinocchio experiences a growing nose which extends with each lie that he utters; at another point, he is transformed into a CGI donkey; later, he ends up inside an enormous Whale - where he reunites with Geppetto, who also happens to be inside said whale {however unlikely that would be}; and Pinocchio exchanges poignant words of wisdom with a Talking Tuna Fish before the Fairy with Turquoise Hair {whose age changes throughout the film} grants him the wish of becoming a real boy.
Matteo Garrone brings sumptuousness & a darkly whimsical feel for us to get lost in, here. First, I must commend the visual feast on display, starting with 2-time Academy Award winner Mark Coulier & Co., whose make-up work on every creature we encounter is truly masterful. Add to that some brilliant practical special effects, glowing Tuscan landscapes, some stellar CGI, warm-hued cinematography, realistic shots of poverty-stricken rural Italy, gorrrrgeous production design, intricately ornate costume design, & a rich, melodic music score from Academy Award winning Dario Marianelli {from Atonement} and you've got quite the picturesque tableaux & spectacle for our eyes & ears to experience.
All the actors do their job, and do it well. Roberto Benigni brings a lovely low-key vibe to Geppetto - who we really only see in the beginning & end. Gigi Proietti - who died shortly after making this film at age 80 - is a solid Mangiafuoco. And young newcomer Federico Ielapi makes for a cute Pinocchio; even though he's kinda creepy in wooden form - cuter as a real boy.
The result of all of this is a bizarre extravaganza that may delight children & adults alike. Yes, it's in the Italian language {though, offered in English dubbing, too}. Yes, it's a bit too long. And no, it's not the most emotionally resonant movie you'll ever experience - there is something abstract & episodic about the storytelling that gives off a detached feeling as you watch. But future adaptations {in the works} such as Guillermo Del Toro's animated offering & Robert Zemeckis' live-action take will have quite a bit to live up to in the wake of this rich & lavish production.