Cast
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Adriano Tardiolo
as Lazzaro
Agnese Graziani
as Antonia (young)
Luke Chikovani
as Tancredi (young)
Alba Rohrwacher
as Antonia
Sergi López
as Ultimo
Tommaso Ragno
as Tancredi
Natalino Balasso
as Nicola
Nicoletta Braschi
as Marchesa Alfonsina De Luna
Carlo Massimino
as Pippo
Daria Pascal Attolini
as Maria Grazia (Adult)
Maddalena Baiocco
as Stefania
Giulia Caccavello
as Teresa
Annunziata Capretto
as Natalina anziana
Alessandro Genovesi
as Maresciallo
Davide Denci
as Appuntato
Crew
Director
- Alice Rohrwacher
Writer
- Alice Rohrwacher
Producer
- Carlo Cresto-Dina
- Gregory Gajos
- Pierre-François Piet
- Tiziana Soudani
- Cécile Tollu-Polonowski
- Michael Weber
Reviews
SWITCH.
‘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
Jun 6, 2019
BornKnight
A tale (or fable?) of social commentary by directress and writer Alice Rohrwacher (that I first knew in the short "Le Pupille") in rural Italy with touches of anti capitalism and class division, where sharecroppers live, without knowing their semi-slavery state because of lack of knowledge. Lazzaro the protagonist, is an innocent character that is happy to make others happy, in the pureness of his heart. He doesn't know who is his father of mother just who is maybe his grandmother.
There are very few signs of when this passes you can guess the 60 or 70's till later you see a cellphone of the 90's. So this is the condition that those people lives.
They live under Marchesa Alfonsina De Luna state till one day Lazzaro meets the rebellious son of her, Tancredi, that wants to live away from the rot of his bankrupt family, so he devise a plan.
A plan that unwillingly ends ends with and event that throws Lazzaro in the future 20 to 30 years ahead. By chance or destiny he meet robbers in the now decadent rural mansion (not knowing that they are people of his past "family") and in the city where he is recognized by an old female friend (the role is played by the older sister of Rohrwacher, Alba) - the only one that sees the miracle of him not ageing anything at all (and not all broken and bloody by the event that happened so many years ago, not seen by anyone).
In this urban future he ends up living within the same ignorant and individualist clan (with some exceptions) and ends up meeting by chance the Baroness son again, decadent as ever in his dreams of richness that broke his spirit.
Not telling the end after all this spoilers, but it is sad to see Lazzaro so pure treated as nothing, unhappy by his friend status, and trying to correct things in a wrong way in his innocency (no, it doesn't have an happy ending).
A movie that may not be for everyone but that shines to see such saintness and pureness of heart among our society.
Good cinematography and choice of colors, with Kodak Super 16mm film by cinematographer DP Hélène Louvart AFC and good acting by the protagonist, the newcomer Adriano Tardiolo.
I would score this one a 8.0 out of 10.0 / A-.
Feb 23, 2024
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, Happy as Lazzaro examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of contemporary challenges that mirror our own experiences. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Alice Rohrwacher brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2018, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its critical acclaim reflects its artistic achievements and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Happy as Lazzaro took approximately 5 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 128 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 171 minutes long.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
- The screenplay went through 8 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 6 months to complete.
Historical Context
- In 2018, when this film is released:
- Smartphones and social media had transformed daily life and communication.
- Climate change awareness was becoming a central global concern.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While Happy as Lazzaro shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike My Life as a Dog, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, Happy as Lazzaro subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Borstal and Cinema Paradiso explore similar territory, Happy as Lazzaro stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: May 31, 2018
- Runtime: 2h 8m
Where to Watch
