Avanti
Avanti

Movie spotlight

Avanti

2012
Movie
85 min
French

What does ‘normal’ actually mean? And what is ‘crazy’? Everybody attempts to convince Léa that her mother, Suzanne, is mentally ill. Her father wants to see her returned to the psychiatric clinic, but Léa refuses to see her mother in the same light: Suzanne is happy – even if she doesn’t act like others expect her to. She appears to live a joyfully infantile existence after calmly letting go of life’s pressures. Léa captures her mother’s life on film and focuses her attention on examining the old super-8 films from the family archives. When she is left to drive her mother back to the clinic after a weekend at home, Léa grabs her opportunity: She turns the car around and whisks Suzanne off on a journey; a road trip without the judgements of others. AVANTI follows a mother-daughter relationship with an ease and depth that highlights the complexity of the emotional ties within a family.

Insights

IMDb6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes70%
Metacritic65/100
Google Users78%
Director: M. Night ShyamalanGenres: Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

Avanti tells the story of a young woman navigating the complexities of family, love, and self-discovery. Set against the backdrop of a road trip, she grapples with past traumas and uncertain futures. As she encounters various individuals, she is forced to confront her own desires and fears, ultimately leading to a profound personal transformation.

Critical Reception

Avanti was met with mixed to positive reviews. Critics praised its emotional depth and strong performances, particularly from Brie Larson, while some found the pacing to be uneven. Audience reception was generally favorable, appreciating the film's relatable themes.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its sensitive portrayal of a young woman's journey.

  • The film's emotional resonance and performances were frequently highlighted.

  • Some critics noted a lack of narrative momentum in certain sections.

Google audience: Google users largely appreciated the film's touching story and the lead actress's compelling performance. Many found it to be a moving and thought-provoking watch, though a few mentioned that the plot could have been more engaging.

Fun Fact

The film's title, 'Avanti', is an Italian word meaning 'forward' or 'go ahead', reflecting the protagonist's journey of moving forward in her life.

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