Song of Napoli (Song’e Napule) is Neapolitan dialect for ‘I am from Naples’, something which not every Neapolitan local is proud of. Directed by brothers Antonio and Marco Manetti, this smart comedy unashamedly highlights modern day Naples in all its ugly and dirty glory while providing plenty of laughs.
Paco is an out-of-work conservatory-trained pianist and is definitely not a proud Neapolitan. Desperate for a job, he uses his family contacts to secure a position as a low ranking police officer. He can’t use a gun, knows nothing about major crime and detests pop music, but somehow his musical talents find him working undercover as keyboard player Pino Dynamite, performing in pop icon Lollo Love’s band. With a mission to uncover the true identity of a violent crime boss only known as The Ghost while playing at a crime family wedding, Paco could not be more out of his comfort zone.
Alessandro Roja as the likeable but hapless hero Paco, takes his character from super nerd to super hero with somewhat casual indifference. Roja is well supported by Peppe Servillo as the competent major crime investigator, Ciro Serracane, and Serena Rossi as Paco’s love interest, Mariana.
The multi talented Giampaolo Morelli as the schmaltzy pop star Lollo Love not only acts and sings well but is also the writer of this clever comedy crime fiction. It also features a large cast of colourful and endearing characters including Paolo Sassanelli as bumbling Commissario Cammarota, and Ciro Petrone as band member Pastetta.
Presented in Italian with English subtitles, Song of Napoli also has a terrific soundtrack with an unusual blend of funk, pop, classical and traditional music and a truly enjoyable mix of action, comedy and romance that is sure to leave you grinning.
Song of Napoli screens on 8, 11, and 14 October 2014. A pre-show event will accompany the screening on 12 October 2014.
Reviewed by Ceri Horner
Twitter: @CeriHorner
Rating out of 10: 8
The Lavazza Italian Film Festival runs from 2 – 22 October 2014 exclusively at the Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas.
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