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
UK certification 15 | UK RRP £19.99 | DVD Region 2 | 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. Admittedly it might appeal if you've got a beard, a corduroy jacket and are strangely drawn to the idea of smoking a pipe 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 subtly haunting power and success than what it really represents: in this instance, 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 (hormonal) crisis of teenage faith 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 wherever possible and, with Manrico an active member of the local Communist party, Accio joins the dwindling Fascist party. He also, perhaps inevitably, falls in love with his brother's on/off girlfriend, a move that provides much of the catalyst in Luchetti's impressive piece of work although it is mainly, of course, the beautifully drawn sibling relationship that powers My Brother... along. 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. 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. This is a delightful, insightful film that will amuse and, ultimately, move in roughly equal measure. Go, marvel and wonder why the British film industry generally can't make films like this.
EXTRAS ** An interview with Daniele Luchetti.