A pleasant, and unexpected surprise, "Cavalli" turned out to be when it showed recently on an international cable channel. This Italian feature has its heart in its right place. It speaks volumes as one follows the story of two brothers and their love for horses, something that dominated their lives.
We first meet Alessandro and Pietro playing with home made cars in the hills near their home in rural Italy. Their playing shows two brother that love each other as they bond in play and against the figure of their brutish peasant father. Alessandro feels the attraction of the nearby city, something that does not appeal to Pietro, the brother that decides to stay behind tending to his beloved horses.
Alessandro, in the meantime has an easy time with ladies of easy virtue in the local brothel. He makes enemies in the process. Pietro meets and marries a local girl, Veronica, who comes to live at the farm. Alessandro with his wanderlust wants to explore other countries. Both brothers must deal with bad characters that come their way. After being reunited after each brother suffer at the hands of people that want to harm them, Pietro makes the ultimate sacrifice of pointing Alessandro toward the frontier he has always dream of crossing.
An incredible beautiful film by Michele Rho, set in the gorgeous Italian countryside. The movie is based on a Pietro Grossi short story, which lends itself beautiful to the adaptation by the director and Francesco Giacchio. Mr. rho shows a sensibility in dealing with the story and for the contrast between the brothers, their differences and the choices each one makes of hies life. There is not a false moment in the film, with a good pacing as well as excellent work by the two leads, Vinicio Marchioni as Alessandro and Michele Alhaique playing Pietro.
Andrea Locatelli, the cinematographer, catches the beauty of the countryside in vivid colors. Ultimately, the film showcases a new talent in Michele Rho.
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