Mid-August Lunch

Mid-August Lunch is a typical example of the auteurist cinema. Gianni di Gregorio not only wrote the screenplay and directed the film, but also played the leading role. The Italian director knows exactly how to find the way to a viewer’s heart. He makes the smell of just-prepared spaghetti and the smell of red wine just hover around the presented story. Di Gregorio’s success results from a skilful choosing of proportions. Although, the film is bound to be relished, it is sufficiently bitter at times. The situation of the main hero seems to be unenviable at the beginning. Although, the man named Gianni has long ago reached his middle ages, the only woman in his life is the more and more old and ailing mother. On the day of the Ferragosto holiday, which is celebrated on 15^th August, Gianni is forced to additionally take care of three other female senior citizens. All ladies constantly give vent to their whims, complaints, and mutual gleeful spite. The director observes the heroes with attention and is not blind to their imperfections, he remains tolerant until the end of the film. He lets the communal meal, which was prepared by Gianni, ease all the tensions. Thanks to him, Mid-August Lunch allows us to have appetite for life.