L'immensità

Play trailer

2:05

L'immensità

Released May 12, 2023

1h 37m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

85%

Tomatometer

66 Reviews

65%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

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neighborhoods being created, TV variety shows still in black & white, societal advances and family models that now seem outdated.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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

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

Full Review

Pablo De Vita

La Nación (Argentina)

... Crialese focuses on his memories and identity, sometimes with too much emotional distance and a certain harshness, but without sacrificing the intelligence, style, and authenticity of that filial bond. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 3/5

Aug 7, 2024

Full Review

Emiliano Basile

EscribiendoCine

A somewhat predictable film in its narrative, but the playful and visually beautiful way it chooses to tell its story gives the production a special charm. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 7/10

Aug 6, 2024

Full Review

Pablo O. Scholz

Clarín

A film that brings to the fore not only gender identity, but also how traditionally established gender roles are reflected. [Full review in Spanish]

Aug 5, 2024

Full Review

Read all reviews

RCA

Very sad but beautifully done. Acting was outstanding.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/25/23

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

Audience Member

No thanks even how much I like Penelope Cruz

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

09/13/23

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Emanuele Crialese

Director

Penélope Cruz

Clara

Vincenzo Amato

Felice

Alvia Reale

Nonna

Aurora Quattrocchi

Clara's Mother

Mariangela Granelli

Dottoressa

Parallel Mothers

96%

78%

Parallel Mothers

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Parallel Mothers

For Jojo

%

14%

For Jojo

Watchlist

Princess

67%

%

Princess

Watchlist

The Passengers of the Night

90%

63%

The Passengers of the Night

Watchlist

Call Jane

82%

87%

Call Jane

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Call Jane

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

L'immensità: Trailer 1

2:05

View more videos

View more photos

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
Producer: Lorenzo Gangarossa, Mario Gianani, Dimitri Rassam
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
Runtime: 1h 37m

Most Popular at Home Now