Castello Cavalcanti (2013)

Why so much hype?

It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

"Castello Cavalcanti" is an 8-minute Prada promo movie written and directed by Wes Anderson 2 years ago. He worked with several of his longtime collaborators on this one such as screenwriter Roman Coppola, actor Jason Schwartzman or costume designer Milena Canonero. In this short movie, a racecar driver crashes, but (what a coincidence) arrives in a small village where some of his distant relatives are living. He talks a bit to the people, orders spaghetti and just makes a connection with the locals. It is very obvious by the colors, the static camera shots and just the whole product that this is a Wes Anderson movie. Unfortunately, as much detail as there is to the visual side, as little attention was paid to the story. It is not interesting and there are actually some pretty stupid moments, like when he talks apparently on the phone, but does not dial a number. Even if this was just to make the bartender jealous, he at least could have pretended that he is really calling somebody. All in all, possibly Anderson's worst career effort. Nothing interesting to watch here. Thumbs down.

Wes Anderson's "Castello Cavalcanti" is one of two short films he has made that were financed by Prada, the popular and lucrative fashion company. "Castello Cavalcanti" bears all the aesthetic artistry and assured camera-work of Anderson's filmography but also bears that annoying emptiness that is present in many of his works as well. At only eight minutes, the only things Anderson has time to communicate are some well-orchestrated camera pans, beautifully warm scenery, and some more great uses of Anderson's trademark aesthetic, and that's about it. Jason Schwartzman stars Jed Cavalcanti, a Formula One racer who crashes in a sleepy Italian village during a race through the country. He discovers, however, that this town is populated not by strangers but by people that could very well be related to him. While the short is more of a direct reference to the many films of Italian director Frederico Fellini, the vibe I get is more from Pixar's Cars, about a racer hellbent on winning before crashing and slowing down in a land that is much more than meets the eye. There's some great shots and sequences here thanks to Anderson's style that is nicely emphasized in eight minutes; if only he could spare at least two extra minutes to give us a reason to care about Cavalcanti's situation.Starring: Jason Schwartzman. Directed by: Wes Anderson.

Though only eight minutes long, Castello Cavalcanti is essential viewing for fans of Wes Anderson's work. With beautiful set pieces including a famous prop from Fellini's "La Dolce Vita" (both were filmed at the same studio in Rome) and a number of distinctive background characters, Anderson immediately establishes a truly memorable period atmosphere that evokes positive memories from both his own work and classic Italian films. Furthermore, Jed Cavalcanti, a Formula 1 driver played by Jason Schwarzman, is a funny, unique protagonist who fits comfortably alongside Max Fischer and Steve Zissou. Brisk and enjoyable, the film is a wonderful surprise that bears no resemblance to an advertisement and does not overstay its welcome. Anderson has stated that, with the further participation of Prada, he hopes to follow Cavalanti in more adventures filmed at other great studios around the world. Let's hope he follows through on that promising idea and that Cavalcanti becomes the star of many more Anderson shorts.

Prada excels once again with an interestingly made clip directed by a great director. Like "A Therapy" directed by Roman Polanski and starring Helena Bonham Carter and Ben Kingsley, "Castello Cavalcanti" is composed with caliber talents from the movie business, this time bringing back the successful partnership Wes Anderson and Jason Schwartzman. The pictoresque style of the director, some of his trademarks, the vibrant colors are present here in a Fellinian-like tradition. The story takes place in Italy, 1955, during a Formula One race when the Italo-American pilot played by Schwartzman crashes his vehicle at a small village and gets stuck there. The accident, a total wreckage of the car and cause of same moodiness to the pilot turns out to be something unexpectedly good when he gets involved with the local people, their routine, awakening an almost forgotten memory. He belongs there, and losing the race is no longer so important.It's a stunning, lovely and humored film filled with plenty of cultural references (a tribute to classic Italian films), very intriguing but as a campaign doesn't work much - whatever they're selling (the brand which appears in Jason's jacket). The purpose of taking a small time - though long for a commercial - and watching it works perfectly, it's vivid and entertaining. The spectacle is so immense that you really long for a feature film being made after this. Creative and engaging, "Castello Cavalcanti" is synonym of quality film and quality propaganda, things we're missing these days. 9/10