My Brother is an Only Child

Stars: Elio Germano, Riccardo Scamarcio, Diane Fleri, Angela Finocchiaro, Alba Rohrwacher, Massimo Popolizio

Director: Daniele Luchetti

A very middling Italian film about two brothers from a poor background who both become political activists in the 1960s, one for the Communists, the other for the Fascists, although he later converts to Communism.

Born troublemakers, it looks obvious from the start that at least one of them is destined to meet a sticky end. The younger, Accio (Germano), falls for his brother's girlfriend (Fleri), but she sees only older son Manrico (Scamarcio), has a child by him and becomes involved in his increasingly subversive and dangerous activities.

Unfortunately, none of these characters are particularly likeable or sympathetic - and remain difficult to get to know: they seem to exist only on the surface of the film. It's well made and decently acted (especially by Finocchiaro as the boys' mother) and very Italian, but few will find it involving.

David Quinlan

Italy/France 2007. UK Distributor: Revolver. Technicolor.
100 minutes. Not widescreen. UK certificate: 15.

Guidance ratings (out of 3): Sex/nudity 1, Violence/Horror 1, Drugs 0, Swearing 2.

Review date: 30 Mar 2008