The Best of Youth

Play trailer

The Best of Youth

R

2003

6h 0m

Drama

Romance

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

62 Reviews

98%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Two close-knit brothers, Nicola (Luigi Lo Cascio) and Matteo (Alessio Boni), are buffeted by the social and political upheavals that rock their native Italy during the 1960s and '70s as they navigate their way into adulthood, marriage and middle age. Along the way, Nicola meets Giulia (Sonia Bergamasco), the love of his life whose political beliefs take precedence over her personal happiness, while Matteo falls for the lovely photographer-turned-librarian Mirella (Maya Sansa).

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Earns its 6 hours running time by telling an engrossing story with compelling characters.

Read Critics Reviews

Ed Gonzalez

Slant Magazine

02/05/2006

4/4

This epic elegy to family and country is a towering work of narrative fiction.

Go to Full Review

Lisa Kennedy

Denver Post

07/29/2005

3.5/4

Unfolds like a novel full of characters we can't help but care about.

Go to Full Review

Terry Lawson

Detroit Free Press

06/24/2005

4/4

Few films have ever made better use of combining social and political history with romantic melodrama and suspense.

Go to Full Review

Nick Rogers

Midwest Film Journal

09/25/2010

4/4

Revealing too much of the narrative would spoil the pleasure of learning where Matteo and Nicola find themselves. "Youth" sells us on the idea that life is a gift and that beauty and rejuvenation can come from even seemingly unbearable lows.

Go to Full Review

Joe Lozito

Big Picture Big Sound

07/14/2007

4/4

Phil Villarreal

Arizona Daily Star

05/13/2007

4/4

You weep, laugh, celebrate and mourn with the characters throughout the six hours, which at once seem like an eternity and an instant.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Yash B

@yashbansal Oct 1

"The Best of Youth" is a sprawling 6-hour journey that is well worth taking. I can confidently say that this is the longest film I have ever watched, and starting it felt like such a daunting task. The film is a beautiful story that spans multiple decades and engages the audience in these characters' lives. The movie is a mix of many emotions, both happy and sad, and it just feels so real. It is tough for a movie this long to be consistently entertaining or well-paced, but I found myself interested to see where it would go next most of the time. Overall, it is a truly ambitious piece of cinema that many will turn away from because of its enormous length, but those who decide to watch it will find themselves rewarded with a story full of humanity and heart.

See more

René R

Mar 23

I won’t do Best of Youth any disservice by trying yet failing to find the right words for it but here goes. If I were given a day to live, I would ask only to see my children & wife, a sunrise, and the Best of Youth, before the end. I’d be ok to go then.

See more

Bert M

10/28/2022

I felt 6 hours was a long time for this movie which to me was good, but not great. I mean Gone with the Wind which is a classic is only 4 hours.

See more

06/23/2018

Together with Heimat, the best movie.

See more

02/22/2018

I watched this movie on a whim one night when it was one Netflix. It entranced me so hard, I had to go and buy the movie and watch it over and over. Don't let the length of it scare you (a whopping 6 hours!), it more than needs that time, and you won't even notice how long it seems as you watch it. I love it, and recommend it to friends often.

See more

12/13/2016

All people are the product of their own zeitgeist - their small lives universally relatable.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Marco Tullio Giordana

Director

Luigi Lo Cascio

Nicola Carati

Alessio Boni

Matteo Carati

Adriana Asti

Adriana Carati

Sonia Bergamasco

Giulia Monfalco

Fabrizio Gifuni

Carlo Tommasi

The Son's Room

85%

81%

The Son's Room

Watchlist

Don't Tell

25%

53%

Don't Tell

Watchlist

The Last Kiss

73%

79%

The Last Kiss

Watchlist

The Station Agent

94%

89%

The Station Agent

Watchlist

The Flower of Evil

65%

50%

The Flower of Evil

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Breaking News: Movies Not Screened For Critics Aren’t Very Good

Awards Season Gets Rolling with Crix Picks

View more photos

Synopsis

Two close-knit brothers, Nicola (Luigi Lo Cascio) and Matteo (Alessio Boni), are buffeted by the social and political upheavals that rock their native Italy during the 1960s and '70s as they navigate their way into adulthood, marriage and middle age. Along the way, Nicola meets Giulia (Sonia Bergamasco), the love of his life whose political beliefs take precedence over her personal happiness, while Matteo falls for the lovely photographer-turned-librarian Mirella (Maya Sansa).

Director: Marco Tullio Giordana
Producer: Angelo Barbagallo, Donatella Botti
Screenwriter: Sandro Petraglia, Stefano Rulli
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: BiBiFilm, RAI Cinema
Rating: R
Genre: Drama, Romance
Original Language: Italian
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 30, 2003, Wide
Release Date (DVD): Feb 7, 2006
Box Office (Gross USA): $250.4K
Runtime: 6h 0m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1)

Most Popular at Home Now