L'immensità

Released May 12, 2023

1 hr. 37 min.

Drama

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List

83%

60 Reviews

Tomatometer

66%

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Audience Score

Rome, 1970s: a world which straddles new neighborhoods being created, TV variety shows still in black & white, societal advances and family models that now seem outdated. Clara and Felice have just moved into a new apartment. Their marriage has reached a point of no return: they no longer love each other, but they can't seem to leave each other either. Their children are the only thing that keeps them together, the same children that are the syphon for all of Clara's dreams of freedom. Adriana, the eldest, has just turned twelve; Clara's mood swings and the growing tensions between her parents play out before her watchful gaze. Adriana is in a state of refusal of her name and her identity, and her dogged pursuit of trying to convince everyone that she is a boy brings the already fragile stability of her family to breaking point. As the children search around them for guidance -- be it a voice from above or a song on the TV -- everything changes, both inside and outside of themselves.

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Critics Consensus

L'immensità can be excessively immense at times but with an always superlative Penélope Cruz at its core, this vibrant coming-of-age story with undeniable heart is a memorable experience.

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RCA

Very sad but beautifully done. Acting was outstanding.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/25/23

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Ewa M

Great story superb acting. As usual Penelope Cruz proved one more time to be one of the best!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/13/23

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Holcky R

It was fun to see Rome in the 1970s. The storyline was interesting, although it felt like it ended abruptly.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/26/23

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Audience Member

No thanks even how much I like Penelope Cruz

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

09/13/23

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Ian B

A flawed but still beautiful film that explores gender dysphoria against the background of 1970s Roma and music and the eyes of an eccentric, dysfunctional family. I didn't think it was possible to be even more in awe of Penélope Cruz, but here (in her role of both unquestioning, doting mother and long-suffering wife drifting towards a mental breakdown, whilst her cold husband openly continues his extra marital affair with his Secretary) she is sublime - whilst also effortlessly speaking fluent Italian throughout. I can't recall ever seeing a bad performance of hers. Her character Clara's slow decline is witnessed through the soulful eyes of her pre-teen daughter, Adri played beautifully by Luana Giuliani. Adri identifies as a boy, wishing to go by the name ‘Andrew' who sees himself as an "Alien". Set in ‘70s Italy, this poignancy is amplified through the use of some glorious musical interludes and dream sequences. But it is the loving relationship and bond between Clara and Andrew that makes the film special.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/28/23

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Samus

Excellent and memorable Italian film with good characterisation such as you'll never find in Hollywood in 100 years. The young star appears has awakening sexuality, and has a true teen feel to her, and the varied stresses in the family feel true.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/26/23

Full Review

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Emanuele Crialese

Director

Penélope Cruz

Clara

Vincenzo Amato

Felice

Alvia Reale

Nonna

Aurora Quattrocchi

Clara's Mother

Mariangela Granelli

Dottoressa

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L'immensità: Trailer 1

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Alonso Duralde

The Film Verdict

Emanuele Crialese’s autobiographical tale of growing up as a trans boy in early-70s Italy features a powerhouse performance from Penélope Cruz (right up there with her work in Ferrari) and musical flights of fancy alongside a powerful coming-of-age tale.

Dec 20, 2023

Full Review

Kevin Maher

Times (UK)

Clara has echoes of the glamorous but “unhinged” Aunt Patrizia from Paolo Sorrentino’s similar The Hand of God. Both women are cursed with beauty in a society that aggressively fetishises it.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 11, 2023

Full Review

Jonathan Romney

Financial Times

L’immensità is anchored to a tougher emotional baseline by young female actor Luana Giuliani as Andrea, perfectly capturing a mix of vulnerability and bolshie sullenness.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 10, 2023

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Kat Halstead

Common Sense Media

Cruz is almost unnaturally luminous as a struggling but free-spirited matriarch in this Italian family drama that's at times dark, surreal, vibrant, and heart-wrenching.

Mar 12, 2024

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Stephanie Bunbury

Deadline Hollywood Daily

Stop to think about it and L’Immensita is fundamentally quite bleak, but it wears a delightfully cheerful face.

Sep 26, 2023

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David Bax

Battleship Pretension

Melodrama is not a pejorative but dishonest movies like L’immensità add to its bad reputation.

Sep 22, 2023

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Synopsis

Rome, 1970s: a world which straddles new neighborhoods being created, TV variety shows still in black & white, societal advances and family models that now seem outdated. Clara and Felice have just moved into a new apartment. Their marriage has reached a point of no return: they no longer love each other, but they can't seem to leave each other either. Their children are the only thing that keeps them together, the same children that are the syphon for all of Clara's dreams of freedom. Adriana, the eldest, has just turned twelve; Clara's mood swings and the growing tensions between her parents play out before her watchful gaze. Adriana is in a state of refusal of her name and her identity, and her dogged pursuit of trying to convince everyone that she is a boy brings the already fragile stability of her family to breaking point. As the children search around them for guidance -- be it a voice from above or a song on the TV -- everything changes, both inside and outside of themselves.

Director: Emanuele Crialese
Executive Producer: Olivia Sleiter
Screenwriter: Emanuele Crialese, Francesca Manieri, Vittorio Moroni
Distributor: Music Box Films
Production Co: Canal+, France 3 Cinéma, Regione Toscana, Doco Digital, Chapter 2, Toscana Film Commission, Wildside, Pathé, Warner Bros.
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Italian
Release Date (Theaters): May 12, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 11, 2023
Box Office (Gross USA): $102.5K

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