Review of Quiet Chaos (2008) by Hugo C — 25 Jun 2010

A quiet character study regarding a man dealing with the accidental death of his wife, leaving him to care for their ten year old daughter. Facing uncertainties at work and seemingly unable to process his loss, Pietro (Nanni Moretti) daily waits for his daughter in the park across from her school.

He attracts the notice of several other people who frequent the park and receives visits from colleagues, friends, and relatives. His brother, Carlo (Alessandro Gassman), and crazy sister-in-law, Marta (Valeria Golino), check in with him from time to time to express their concerns and to try to induce him into a more normal routine, to no avail.

The interaction between the father and daughter feels quite natural and provides a handle with which to understand their grief process. There are lighter moments to relieve the gloom, and the bright daily scenes also help to mask what otherwise could have been maudlin.

One sex scene toward the end detracted from the overall tone of the film. It seemed out of place and completely unnecessary. This viewer has no problem with scenes of this nature as long as they flow naturally from the story.

This one was too jarring and gratuitous.