REVIEW - Every Blessed Day (Tutti i Santi Giorni) - Lavazza Italian Film Festival 2013

Every Blessed Day (Tutti i Santi Giorni)

‘Every Blessed Day’ (Tutti i Santi Giorni), part of the Lavazza Italian Film Festival 2013, is an intimate albeit left of centre love story, between the highly educated intelligent, generous and soft spoken Guido and the slightly neurotic, ex wild child/singer Antonia. 

This unusual Yin-Yang couple, finds a harmonious balance in life, experiencing their everyday events in a unique encapsulated state, weaving through the turmoil and chaos of the rest of the world unfazed and perhaps even perceived as slightly crazy by the people around them. 

Guido has the opportunity to work in very economically rewarding jobs both in Italy and abroad, but instead, he is the night clerk at the front desk of a luxury hotel. He enjoys reading his academic books during the quiet hours of the night, which he would not be able to do if he held a “regular” job.

Antonia has left behind a tumultuous and erratic singer’s life and the wild lifestyle which came with it, to be with Guido. Now, six years into the relationship, the two have decided to finally build a family together.

Soon they find out that, just because they have come to the conclusion that it is time to bring a child into the world, nature is not on the same page with them. Visits to gynecologists, fertility clinics and even Ayurvedic retreats become part of Antonia and Guido’s attempt to conceive, eventually proving to be emotionally straining on Antonia, who has self-imposed the blame onto herself, as a form of punishment for her past’s escapades.

The story is lovely, and though it addresses the serious challenges of conception which couples are facing everywhere, it does also insert some very clever dialogue and moments. A scene stands out in particular, where an inebriated guest approaches Guido at the hotel’s front desk, and expresses a need for a prostitute, what ensues is a series of miscommunications which evoked a hearty belly busting laugh, breaking up the drama a bit.

‘Every Blessed Day’ represents “saving”: Guido saves Antonia, from her unravelled and crazy self, whereas she saves him from his eternal life of solitude, and eventually they save their relationship which became wounded and confused. So yes, as cheesy as it may sound, love conquers all, and you - the spectator - feel that everything is all right with the world. What more can one ask? Go see ‘Every Blessed Day’ and get a boost of the warm and fuzzys. 

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The above review was published in 3000MELBOURNE magazine. Below is a photo of the printed magazine.