Bread and Tulips (2000)

Great Film overall

Excellent, Without a doubt!!

Blistering performances.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

If you've never heard of "Bread and Tulips," then right the wrong and rent it. Or, better yet buy it. This is a delightful story of a married woman and her family going on vacation by way of a bus trip to Italy. But, when she gets left behind at a rest stop, she realizes she's in control of her life and dares to do the unthinkable, be spontaneous, and live for herself. A true feel-good movie that shows we have to dare to live. You never know what will happen next. But, the great message of the film is that beyond the bread of life (the practical side,) there is beauty for which without there would be no real life, or one worth living. Do yourself a favor and discover this gem. Discover the beauty of life!

Bread and Tulips is one of those modest films which touches human hearts due to a fairly simple story,a choice of good locations,good actors and an overall feel good effect.It has remained a modest film entirely due to its director's efforts.Silvio Soldini is a Swiss director who has converted various challenging stories into some of the most outstanding films of recent times (La brûlure du vent,Agata e la tempesta,Giorni e nuvole) ever directed in Swiss cinema. Silvio Soldini's direction has worked wonders for actors like Licia Maglietta and Bruno Ganz who have given credible performances as a lonely housewife and a sad waiter.Bread and Tulips is a film which is close to human hearts as on many occasions ordinary folks have the tendency to desire that they are left alone to pursue their dreams.One such dream has taken firm hold of our leading lady Rosalba's mind.What we see in the entire film are her efforts to attain the unattainable. Pane e tulipani is a film for you if you admire Italy,Bruno Ganz and richness of simple stories for cinema.

This is a wry, witty Italian comedy with a underlying radical message I don't think the Vatican would approve. Licia Malietta stars as Rosalba Barletta a woman not enamored with either her macho, inconsiderate husband Mimmo Barletta (Antonio Catania) or her life as a housewife. On a vacation she is accidentally left behind in Venice, and then on a whim decides to stay for awhile. She needs to breathe free from the domination of her husband who sees her only as an asset and doesn't love her. Indeed he has a mistress.What she finds in Venice are new warm friends and a certain man, Fernando Girasoli (played with sly finesse by veteran Swiss-born actor Bruno Ganz), who speaks in poetic phrases but wants to hang himself. She also rediscovers a delight in life and the freedom to be herself and do what she wants to do, which includes playing the accordion and reading Mark Twain in bed. She finds a job in a flower shop, a small room, makes friends with the masseuse next door and feels alive for the first time in ages.Her husband sends a plumber he is about to hire to play detective, find her and bring her back, resulting in some light comedic episodes enriched by off-beat characters.Malietta is very winning in the part and certainly will serve as a heroine for frustrated housewives everywhere. Her desire is not for a fling or for physical thrills, rather her desire is to find herself as herself apart from her identification as wife and mother.I have hinted above at her eventual choice, but you will have to see this warm-hearted romantic comedy for yourself to find out what she chooses and why.(Note: Over 500 of my movie reviews are now available in my book "Cut to the Chaise Lounge or I Can't Believe I Swallowed the Remote!" Get it at Amazon!)

The husband was an idiotic jerk who did not appreciate what a wonderful wife he had. Looks like Rosalba needed to get away a long time earlier than she did. Fernando treated her like a human being. I was so afraid Rosalba would get raped or killed when she was living by herself in those scary looking places. She was indeed very lucky. I am taking an Italian language course at The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, and we were able to see this film tonight (2-15-2006) for extra credit in the course. The English subtitles were great to have. Rosalba had a lot of nerve to stay away from her screaming-and-yelling husband, however all he did was blame her for everything. He was so selfish and self-centered, and I am glad Rosalba had the courage to make the break LOL.