The Bad Poet

This is a beautifully filmed story with a towering performance by Sergio Castellitto as Gabriele d'Annunzio. While it helps to know something about d'Annunzio - which the makers could assume Italian viewers would - the story is clear enough for anyone to follow. It is a subtle but captivating story of Italian fascism before World War II and how even an idealistic political view can be executed in a horrendous way - in that way, it relates to films like The Young Lions. But for those who consider d'Annunzio a proto-fascist (which he was), it's illuminating to get this focus on his differences with Mussolini and the Italian government's plan to muzzle him. The art direction and music are excellent, and you get to see some of d'Annunzio's bizarrely impressive Vittoriale home on the banks of Lake Garda.

I hope they release this with English subtitles.