Okay, I realize I was gone a while and the Interwebs stop for no woman but did I really fall to Blog #5 from... from... what I was before, which wasn't 5? Do I need to cry blood to keep you people happy? Let me know, okay? Because I'll do it. I so do not need this crap. Not in my delicate condition.
In lieu of all the book stuff, how 'bout we mix it up a bit. How do you feel about a movie? A foreign film that's won a bunch of awards, Italian with subtitles. I rented it for free from Amazon, because I'm just that awesome. And I pay the extra hundred bucks for Amazon Prime, which, in addition to free 2-day shipping, allows me to rent a bunch of video entertainment for free.
I love movies but never make time to watch them. I'm always reading or something. I certainly don't make enough money to see them in the theatre, which really makes Oscar time dull. Screw you, Hollywood. Greedy bastards. Thumbs up for Amazon Prime!
Bread & Tulips (2000)
Pane e tulipani
PG-13, 114 min.
Approaching middle age, still lovely housewife Rosalba is on yet another unexceptional vacation with her husband and two teenaged sons. Along the way, the tour bus makes a stop at a small cafe. Rosalba goes to use the bathroom, while the rest of the family heads off in different directions. In the toilet stall she accidentally pulls off her wedding ring and PLOP! into the toilet it goes. Not wanting to reach in her hand, she uses what she has in her purse to retrieve the ring.
Unfortunately, she doesn't realize how long she was in the bathroom. By the time she gets back outside the bus has pulled away, without her...
Two hours later, her family finally realizes she's not on the bus, so her husband calls back to the cafe. After verbally abusing her, he tells her just wait there. The bus will turn around and get her, though she's a major pain in the ass and he can't believe she's done something so stupid... Again.
Only, Rosalba's had enough of her husband's anger and swearing, his complete lack of appreciation. She decides to hitchhike, ultimately winding up in Venice. She's never been there and has always wanted to. Instead of waiting for her husband to come back and yell at her, or head home where he can yell later, why not take a solo vacation?
She intends to stay a day and go home, only Venice is so beautiful and she's so lighthearted and happy, she gets distracted and misses her train. Same thing the next day, she intends to go home but passes a flower shop with a Help Wanted sign. Impulsively, she applies for the job. She's hired and so begins the fairy tale dream of the housewife running away to a romantic, beautiful city.
Sigh.
The people she meets in Venice are colorful and fun, wacky and unconventional. In other words, it's nothing at all like home. The whole film is funny but once she's living in Venice things really get going. There's innocent romance, friendship with a New Age masseuse and the bitter old flower seller who finds his softer side again through Rosalba and her ebullient spirit.
The best, though, is the screwball storyline with an inept "detective" her husband hires to go find her. He looks like an Italian John Candy, a big, clumsy man just persistent enough to be irritating. And meanwhile, Rosalba's making friends, becoming more and more her own person, finding herself in beautiful Venice.
Yes, she blooms working at a flower store. It may be cliche but it works. You'll love it.
Ultimately, eventually she has to make her decision. The how and the why and wherefore you'll have to find out on your own, when you watch it, because I've made it sound so good you can't wait to see it.
Just rent it. Or stream it, or whatever it is you do. It's good.
I just gave you a solid film recommendation. Can I have my damn Best Book Blog award back now? Tough crowd. Really tough.
