The Best of Youth

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The Best of Youth

R

2003

6h 0m

Drama

Romance

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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).

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Critics Consensus

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

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Ed Gonzalez

Slant Magazine

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

Rated: 4/4

Feb 5, 2006

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Lisa Kennedy

Denver Post

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

Rated: 3.5/4

Jul 29, 2005

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Terry Lawson

Detroit Free Press

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

Rated: 4/4

Jun 24, 2005

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Nick Rogers

Midwest Film Journal

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.

Rated: 4/4

Sep 25, 2010

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Joe Lozito

Big Picture Big Sound

Rated: 4/4

Jul 14, 2007

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Phil Villarreal

Arizona Daily Star

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

Rated: 4/4

May 13, 2007

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Yash B

"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.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/01/25

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René R

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/23/25

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Bert M

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.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

10/28/22

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Audience Member

Together with Heimat, the best movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

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Audience Member

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

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Audience Member

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

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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

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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)

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