A haunting Italian fable / folk tale about a naive, simple young man with nothing but goodness running through his veins, and difficult to review without spoilers.

The film is beautifully shot on 16mm film and there are some wonderful images of rural Italy, especially the drone shots that double up as a helicopter. The casting in this film is impeccable, with the family of all ages played very well by actors that almost appear like accidental extras at some points.

The movie centres around a poor family working on a plantation in a time that isn't easy to put a stamp on, until a character with a mobile phone enters the picture. But this is purposefully done by Director Alice Rohrwacher - as time is a theme central to the film. There is a huge shift towards the middle of the film, which is best left unspoilt, and throughout, our naive, angel-like lead Lazarro seems at one with nature. There's a particular theme showing Lazarro as a wolf howling at the moon (and even one of the characters names literally translates as 'of the moon'. The symbolism, religious and otherwise is heavy. Biblical references are also heavily present, and the plot is almost a re-telling of one of the more famous religious stories.

There is a large dose of "magical realism" involved, and the subtext seems to hint that there are some good people are out there, but if something looks too good to be true - it probably is. Part social critique, part mystical tale telling. It also has something to say on capitalism and how economies shape people. It does end on a happy note, but it goes through some journey to get there.

7.7/10

‘Happy as Lazzaro’ comes and goes like an airy fable but doesn’t make as much of an impact as it wants to. Through a lack of convincing and earned pivot, its first half in realism drags down the escapism it yearns for in its second half. Its ambition is to be commended and is definitely a film that deserves to be seen, but as a whole is just verging on greatness.
- Ashley Teresa

Read Ashley's full article...
https://www.maketheswitch.com.au/article/review-happy-as-lazzaro-more-than-meets-the-eye

Happy as Lazzaro is a long film and seems to be two films with the same characters bolted together. The first half seems to be a throwback, a story of exploited workers being preyed upon by the uncaring wealthy. Will they turn on their oppressor, what will become of them all? Fairly straightforward, Lazzaro is the innocent within the tale. He shows no anger or enjoyment but just wants to help as much as he can. He is almost a blank canvas that the other characters bounce off. Which makes the plaudits piled on Adriano Tardiolo a bit odd. He really does not have to do anything but stand and answer questions and run about for people, showing no emotions.


The cinematography is beautiful with some lovely Italian rural locations [Bagnoregio, Viterbo, Lazio] I could almost feel the heat coming through my ‘Big TV’ screen as I watched Lazzaro traipsing about.


Despite the story seemingly being odd but straightforward, the longer we travel down the path laid out for us the more magical or mystical it becomes.


The message through director Rohrwacher’s symbolism seems to be that exploitation is all around in the world and unquestioning kindness and help make little difference. The sharecroppers are exploited by the Marchesa and unhappy in Inviolata but when they are saved by the police and local authorities and taken to live in the ‘city’ they are uncared for, poor and exploited by others forcing them to resort to crime.

Only Lazzaro stays the same, morally, and literally, despite the intervening years. A big old metaphor I am guessing.


Despite the length of the film, over two hours, if you can pace yourself in step with the film it actually does not drag too much, the rural first part could be trimmed slightly as even the dimmest audience member would soon notice what the situation in Inviolata was. We get many scenes and set pieces of Lazzaro being humiliated or forced to work hard. The point is driven home.


The second half of the film, in the unnamed Italian city, drifts into fantasy or the magical realm as the inhabitants of Inviolata have aged over the years but Lazzaro has not, he is exactly the same. No answers are given, particularly for the ending, which to my way of thinking seemed as if the makers just got bored and stopped at end of that afternoon’s filming and said, ‘Nah that’s it, we’re done.’ Others will see it differently.


Happy as Lazzaro is a beautiful shot, evocative film, with a mystical and magical tone. Sometimes these types of films can be trite a bit long-winded or confusing, so it is to director/writer Alice Rohrwacher’s credit that my attention did not wander and I was engaged in the adventures until the end.


What it was all about is most definitely up to each individual, some people will love this, others will think is boring silliness. I liked it but perhaps it is not as profound as it believes.