Caterina in the Big City

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Caterina in the Big City

Released Oct 24, 2003

1h 46m

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

90%

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39 Reviews

77%

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500+ Ratings

Catarina (Alice Teghil) moves with her father, Giancarlo (Sergio Castellitto), and mother, Agata (Margherita Buy), from her country town to Rome. At her high school, she finds herself in the middle of a tug-of-war between leftists, led by Margherita (Carolina Iaquaniello), and opposing rightists, led by Daniela (Federica Sbrenna) -- and they all want to use her for their own ends. Her overbearing father gets in on the act, hoping the parents of Caterina's new friends can get his novel published.

Critics Consensus

This witty movie succeeds as both a modest teen coming-of-age story and a satirical microcosm of Italy's political climate.

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Eleanor Ringel Cater

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

On the surface, Caterina in the Big City is like Mean Girls, Italian-style. But it's much more layered than that.

Rated: B+

Nov 3, 2005

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John Monaghan

Detroit Free Press

Caterina in the City is a coming-of-age story, of course, but its adult characters are also well rendered.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 7, 2005

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Keith Phipps

AV Club

Its juxtaposition of coming-of-age story and political allegory seldom feels belabored.

Sep 26, 2005

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Lee Marshall

Screen International

Juggles six major and more than a dozen minor characters with some skill.

Feb 28, 2021

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David Noh

Film Journal International

A truly wonderful coming-of-age tale, suffused with wit and warmth.

Mar 1, 2007

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Chelsea Bain

Boston Herald

Rated: 3/4

Oct 21, 2006

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Marco D

dai sempre bellino Virzi

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/04/23

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Audience Member

An interesting italian perspective on the exhausting topic of teenage cliques, the film adds color to the dryness of the divisive politics that was going on in Italy at the time, and draws the audience to rally behind Caterina's character thru her ability to act naive and innocent.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

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Audience Member

"Unlike fish who can only see sideways and flies who can see all around, humans can only look forward." The final lines of Caterina in the big city - An endearing slice of life tale.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

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Audience Member

Modern Italian family comedy drama revolving around a young girl who moves from a small town to Rome and is taken aback by the fast social big city life, its politics and social class attitudes. The characters are very well written and the plot developments are interesting and unexpected; overall the screenplay is intelligent and excellent, never disregarding the cultural context and comments on Roman society. The cast is great.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

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Audience Member

This Italian comedy-drama is quite hilarious at times. While it may seem as a coming of age story, it has serious undertones and social commentary on Italy's politics and society in general. It's quite entertaining, but overall it's on a light side and easily forgettable.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

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Audience Member

A best movie ever. A new teenager in Rome, Caterina's life wilts and bosoms. Beautiful everything.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

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Paolo Virzì

Director

Alice Teghil

Caterina Iacovoni

Sergio Castellitto

Giancarlo Iacovoni

Margherita Buy

Agata Iacovoni

Carolina Iaquaniello

Margherita Rossi Chaillet

Federica Sbrenna

Daniela Germano

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Synopsis

Catarina (Alice Teghil) moves with her father, Giancarlo (Sergio Castellitto), and mother, Agata (Margherita Buy), from her country town to Rome. At her high school, she finds herself in the middle of a tug-of-war between leftists, led by Margherita (Carolina Iaquaniello), and opposing rightists, led by Daniela (Federica Sbrenna) -- and they all want to use her for their own ends. Her overbearing father gets in on the act, hoping the parents of Caterina's new friends can get his novel published.

Director: Paolo Virzì
Producer: Paolo Virzì
Screenwriter: Paolo Virzì, Francesco Bruni
Distributor: Empire Pictures
Production Co: Cattleya, RAI Cinema
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: Italian
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 24, 2003, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Jun 3, 2005
Box Office (Gross USA): $293.3K
Runtime: 1h 46m