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| Movie Review: Blame it on Fidel Alternate Title: Mickey Mouse is a Fascist
Story: Politics seen through
the eyes of a nine year girl makes for wonderful cinema. Little Anna
is caught up in her parents' 1970's revolutionary passion. They want
to help all of the repressed peoples of the world. They give up their
upper middle class lifestyle to commit themselves to their politics.
How Anna absorbs and perceives large political polemics and philosophy
makes for much comedy, drama and terrific entertainment. A solid gene pool is evidenced by director and
co-writer Julie Gavras (daughter of the amazing Costa-Gavras)
and based on the novel “Tutta Colpa di Fidel” by Domitilla
Calamai. Anna is willful, bright and curious. One of my
favorite scenes has Anna ingesting concepts like the greater good through
the peeling of an orange by one of the young revolutionaries (who by
the way all look like the Che featured on the ubiquitous t-shirt) in
her parents' home. This film held my attention from beginning to
end. If you have any interest in politics, idealism, good acting, story
telling and just plain entertainment try to get to see this film. Acting: Nina Kervel-Bey as Anna is
simply wonderful. She is a star in the making. Julie Depardieu
(yes, the daughter of Gerard) as the mother is terrific. Stefano
Accorsi as Anna's father has the right amount of passion and
guilt needed in a Johnny come lately revolutionary. The entire ensemble
cast was terrific. Predilection: Vive la Revolucion! I was raised in
a political family where meal time included a current events agenda.
Food: Tomatoes, potatoes, frittatas and fruit.
Sex Spectrum: No sex but plenty of discussion about
the consequences of sex in a Catholic country.
Blatant Product Placement: Marie Claire magazine.
Opening Titles: Simple white type over a black background.
Theater Audience: Some aging revolutionaries.
Weather: The weather was good in idealistic France
in the 70's
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: 0
Drift Factor: I was engaged throughout.
Predictability Level: If you know world history you
won't be surprised but if you are foggy about the rest of the world
you might be surprised.
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: Why not? I can see a foreign film nomination.
Big Screen or Rental: I hope you can get to see this
on the big screen but it would be fine as a rental.
Length: 100 minutes.
LOBO HOWLS: 8.5
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