Unwrapping 18 Presents
The review:
Francesco Amato’s 18 Presents could have dived right in to movie cliches* but ventures off in a different direction to create a movie that had me intermittently verklempt. The charm comes from the independent** natures of the mother (Vittoria Puccini) and daughter (Benedetta Porcaroli.) While a little too sad to be a Sunday Afternoon Film,*** this is a pleasant way to spend a few hours.
The verdict: Good
Cost: Netflix monthly charge ($8.99)
Where watched: at home
Consider also watching:
- My Life Without Me
- One True Thing
- Stepmother
- Steel Magnolias
- The Joy Luck Club
Further sentences:
*After all, the setup (Pregnant woman learns she has terminal cancer; plans 18 birthday presents for her unborn daughter) had me thinking I knew how this would go down.
**And feisty.
***A low-stress film that doesn’t demand much brainpower and leaves you with a good feeling. One last breath of weekend fresh air before you launch into prep for the week ahead.
Questions:
- When’s the last time you watched a movie from Italy? It’s been a long while for me.
- If you were going to cast Benedetta Porcaroli (the daughter) in a US-based film, what role would be good for her?
Other reviews of 18 Presents:
- Veronica Englebert, The Review Geek
- Courtney Howard, Variety
