About the first five minutes of this movie seemed to want to waste time on sharing all the awards it had won and been nominated for. There are three versions to choose from this. The director's cut at 174 minutes long, the original version at 155 minutes long, and the international/theatrical version at 124 minutes long. When I started watching the version I had it was the 124 minutes one, and the fact that the first few minutes were awards it won just seemed like a waste considering the length of the other two. Otherwise, in the tradition of Italian cinema they know how to make a powerful, character-driven, drama.
Summary: Salvatore is sent word by his mother that an old friend, Alfredo, has died. Salvatore hasn't visited the city he left where is family is though since he was a young man. As an older man he recalls how before becoming a filmmaker he befriended a projectionist who introduced him to his love of movies. Now for the first time in almost 30 years he will be returning home to not only bury an old friend but hopefully to move on from lost love as well.
