The Son's Room - 4 stars: Excellent! This movie deals a family's loss of their college age son (Andrea), who dies in a diving accident, and their collective and individual efforts of grieving and coping with turmoil. Each family member is devastated. The father (Giovanni) is a therapist who is guilt ridden about not being able to prevent his sons death. Although he continues his mundane routine of counselling patients, his demeanor and objectivity changes to where he decides to leave his practice. The mother (Paola) and high school aged daughter inwardly reflect their loss in more subtle way, however the family suffers: dad quits his practice, parents aren't sleeping in the same bed, daughter has a violent outburst during a basketball game, etc.
Anyway, while Paola is picking up her son's personal effects and clearing out his dorm room, she discovers love letters from a secret girlfriend (Arianna). Giovanni can't seem to finish the letter so Paola eventually looks up her number and calls her. She is hurt when Arianna won't speak to her. However, she later shows up unannounced and the meeting leads to understanding and emotional healing. This movie is in Italian with English subtitles. The imagery is excellent, but this film isn't without flaws: ending was very odd (Italian thing?), Giovanni's interaction with patients was not credible. Anyway, it's a must see on World Cinema.
Anyway, while Paola is picking up her son's personal effects and clearing out his dorm room, she discovers love letters from a secret girlfriend (Arianna). Giovanni can't seem to finish the letter so Paola eventually looks up her number and calls her. She is hurt when Arianna won't speak to her. However, she later shows up unannounced and the meeting leads to understanding and emotional healing. This movie is in Italian with English subtitles. The imagery is excellent, but this film isn't without flaws: ending was very odd (Italian thing?), Giovanni's interaction with patients was not credible. Anyway, it's a must see on World Cinema.
