Review of Quiet Chaos (2008) by Anders B — 29 Dec 2008

Slightly changed, compared to the book, in terms of scenery to obviously better fit the cinema purposes, the movie succeeds perfectly in recreating the same breathtaking atmosphere. A remote reference to La Stanza del Figlio seems more like a reference to Nanni Moretti himself, than any deliberately copyied inspiration for the elaboration of the action. Despite the highly exagerated, unnecessarily symbolic opening scence with the "a life for a life" message, and the rather uninspired, artificially mellowed with the "wisdom of the children" ending, Caos Calmo remains one of the best movies of the year.

Nanni Moretti, in the role of the father and widow, is absolutely stunning ; nevertheless, Alessandro Gasmann in the far smaller part of the brother, manages to steal the performance...