Reviewed by Neil Davey
Stars Elio Germano, Riccardo Scarmarcio, Diane Fieri, Alba Rohrwacher, Angela Finocchiaro, Massimo Popolizio, Luca Zingretti
Written by Sandro Petraglia, Stefano Rulli & Daniele Luchetti, from the novel Il Fasciocomunista by Antonio Pennacchi
Certification UK 15 | US tbc
Runtime 100 minutes
Directed by Daniele Luchetti
A film about the rivalry between fascism and communism in 1960s Italy does not, on the face of it, promise a great deal. It might appeal if you've got a beard and a corduroy jacket and teach humanities, but otherwise, probably not. However, saying My Brother Is An Only Child is about politics is a bit like saying The African Queen is about sailing or It's A Wonderful Life is about banking. The political struggle is less important to the film's success than what it really represents and, in this instance, it's brotherly love and sibling rivalry.
Accio (Germano) is the youngest of three children growing up in poverty in 1960's Italy. A promising scholar, he's destined to become a Priest but a crisis of teenage faith — in a hormonal manner of speaking — sees Accio leave his studies and settle back home. As bad as it is disappointing his parents (the excellent Finocchiaro and Popolizio), the worst thing is living back in the shadow of his handsome, charismatic and popular brother Manrico (Scamarcio).
Although clearly devoted to his elder brother, Accio tries to distance himself. With Manrico an active member of the local Communist party, Accio moves much further right, joining the dwindling Fascist party and, perhaps inevitably, falling in love with his brother's on/off girlfriend.
It's this beautifully drawn sibling relationship that powers Daniele Luchetti's tremendous film. The politics, while important to the sense of period and the way they shape the country, play second fiddle to the interplay of the brothers. It's a beautifully drawn sibling rivalry, with their mutual affection always obvious... even as they're at each other's throats and attempting to beat the crap out of each other.
Performances are impeccable, direction is effortless and the mood is light and sunny – which makes the surprising climax all the more powerful. My Brother... is a delightful, insightful film that will amuse and, ultimately, move in roughly equal pleasure. Go, marvel and wonder why the British film industry generally can't make films like this.