Italian For Beginners (DVD 2003)

The Danes started the Dogme method of movie-making back in 1995 and this, the 12th film to make it past the stringent standard is a modern masterpiece.

Set in a non-descript Danish town, this is a story of thirty-somethings searching for love and companionship. This is a study of how love blossoms, explored through the beginning of three new relationships. It is an essay on the pros and cons of each form of human affair.

1- Lust and desire, the passion inevitably leading to a fast consumation followed by tumultuous courting and calming into warmth.

2- The need for companionship bringing two people closer and closer together before finally a spark ignites the building tension.

3- Puppy love, is it unrequited, the butterflies, the averted gazes. The realisation that the feelings are mutual. The wonderful first kiss.

I would highly recommend this film. Unlike the usual Hollywood tripe, this is a romantic comedy of the highest calibre. It is truly touching without being overly sentimental and laugh out loud funny at times. Definitely one to watch!

a really touching film about a group of people whos troubled lives all end up intermingling at a local night class. it would sound quite pleasent and romantic if I described the goings on here but there are genuine gutsy elements to the writing and acting, the overbearing parents of two characters, the worrying impotency felt by the Hotel manager and the subsequent moving scenes between him and the Italian girl (sorry I dont remember any of the characters names, you'll find out what I mean) generally watching this would be a superb way to spend an hour and a half.