Film

What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases

Loose Cannons (2010)

Director: Ferzan Ozpetek

Time Out rating

Average user rating

8 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

As the director of films like ‘Hamam’, ‘Facing Window’ and ‘A Perfect Day’, Ferzan Ozpetek has established a track record of nuanced comic dramas about contemporary European characters negotiating points of transition and uncertainty in their lives. In his latest multistranded comedy of errors and sexual identity, the focus is on Tomasso (Riccardo Scamarcio), son of a pasta-making Puglian clan, whose plans to come out to his traditional family are derailed when his older brother steals his thunder. ‘Loose Cannons’ looks sideways to Tomasso’s siblings, friends and acquaintances and back to his grandmother’s early life, exploring a range of dilemmas with humour and sensitivity as its dozen-odd characters try to find their own ways of weighing social propriety and family obligation against self-fulfilment – a balancing act made trickier for Tomasso when his boyfriend and mates arrive from Rome. The feel is somewhat cloistered and the pace rarely gets the pulse racing but this is engaging and affecting stuff, handsomely shot and well acted: Ilaria Occhini is a stand-out as the grandmother.

Author: Ben Walters

Time Out London Issue 2104/5: 18 – 29 December, 2010

Email Tweet Share

User reviews of this film

Jimmy said...

Posted on Jan 16 2012 05:56 Is it my misconception or does Tommaso remain ambivalent at the end? He seems to spend so much time staring longingly at Alba; at the end of the film, he steps back to view both Alba and his lover from Rome as they dance together, and his lover isn't looking very pleased at all. Anyone have an idea what's going on?

Report as inappropriate
Antonio said...

Posted on Jan 05 2012 22:00 This is a great movie worth 5 stars, definetly ignore what Time Out says.

Report as inappropriate
linzi said...

Posted on Sep 22 2011 22:37 Although there was a lot to like about this film, it is somewhat of a mixed bag, While addressing serious issues, the lighter moments were almost a pastiche and one lausghs at it rather than with it. What makes the film for me, and lifts it above any flaws, is the performance by Ricardo Scarmarcio as the main character Tomasso, making utterly real, and very moving..

Report as inappropriate
Murat said...

Posted on Jan 15 2011 12:28 A lovely, briliant film. Ignore Time Out's 3 Stars Go and watch it. You will love it...

Report as inappropriate
alexander said...

Posted on Dec 15 2010 15:19 Really great film. lucky enough to win preview tickets and can't say enough good tings about it. there is something in there for everyone! highly recommended +++++

Report as inappropriate
Belinda said...

Posted on Dec 14 2010 22:27 A lovely film. Saw it at the London Film Festival with my mother (she's a frightful prude when it comes to cinema) and we both thought it was wonderful. Mum kept going on about how dishy the gay character was! An alternative family film I'd say.

Report as inappropriate
Derek said...

Posted on Oct 30 2010 11:08 The film is brilliant - comedy, drama and tragedy all together. Possibly another "cage aux folles" and if hollywood do a remake (which I hope they don't the original is great) lets hope they make as good a job as "the birdcage". The film should win an oscar!

Report as inappropriate
amy said...

Posted on Oct 20 2010 19:15 lurve this, hope to see this in cinemas everywhere

Report as inappropriate