Watch Light in the Piazza For Free

Perfect cast and a good story

Just what I expected

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Pretty awful story of an Italian lothario pursuing what is basically a ten-year-old female - all with his family's good wishes. Supposedly by marrrying the lothario, the female will have a good life with plenty of servants, loving in-laws, and lots of money so that makes everything okay. Seems like nothing was thought about the emotional damage that might occur from a ten-year-old having sex with a man, understanding, pregnancy giving birth and being too much of a child to have any hope of ever being a "mother" to any children. And you have to wonder how long a grown man will be able to sustain interest in a child-wife who has no intellectual ability and that you can't take out for cocktails. But, no matter, mama has found a way out from the lifelong responsibility of the daughter so yippie all around.

In this film, Yvette Mimieux plays a beautiful young lady who, as a child, was kicked in the head by a horse, and whose mental development has been slowed to the level of a 10 year old...except when she is rapidly picking up a new language and in certain other social settings. (Interestingly, just one year later, Mimieux played the socially slow and naive wife of Dean Martin in "Toys In The Attic"). That's the first problem with this film -- an inconsistency with Mimieux's character.She is in Florence, Italy with her protective mother (the grand and gracious Olivia de Havilland). While there, they are stalked...well in 1962 it wouldn't be considered that...by an Italian suitor -- George Hamilton. Hamilton's limited ability as a serious actor was beginning to show by the time he made this -- his ninth credited film...but he gets by here. Is Hamilton on the level? Apparently so, since his family is relatively wealthy. His father is played by Rossano Brazzi. Barzzi is his normally suave self here, and rather enjoyable, although this film is not one of the highlights to his career.And then along comes Daddy...a very worn-out looking Barry Sullivan, long past his prime in film (if there ever was one). Apparently he was gotten on the cheap here, and they didn't even want to spend money for a little makeup. Daddy, by the way, wants to put daughter in a "country-club" institution.As a result of Daddy's plans, with a couple of stumbles along the way, Mama does everything she can to make the wedding happen, and when it does she says, "I know I did the right thing!" It's a bit distracting in places to watch this film due to what may be a deterioration in the film, or as shown on TCM, a bad print. Nevertheless, despite its flaws, this is an interesting film worth a couple of hours of your viewing time.

While vacationing in beautiful Italy, Olivia de Havilland (as Meg Johnson) watches lovely daughter Yvette Mimieux (as Clara) and handsome Italian George Hamilton (as Fabrizio Naccarelli) fall hopelessly in love. Although the two seem perfect for each other, Ms. Mimieux suffers from a secret disability. Aching for her daughter to lead a normal life, Ms. de Havilland is unable to tell Mr. Hamilton or father Rossano Brazzi about Mimieux' condition. Father of the potential bride Barry Sullivan (as Noel Johnson) is against the wedding...You've got to stop wondering why nobody but her parents seem to notice or care about Mimieux' delicate condition, especially Hamilton; and, moreover, since it's not a problem, how it could matter. Director Guy Green and cinematographer Otto Heller give "Light in the Piazza" some beautiful scenery. Hamilton and Mimieux are an incredibly good-looking couple. And, de Havilland is marvelous to watch, filling her conflicted wife and mother character with enough to have warranted some "Best Actress" consideration.******* Light in the Piazza (2/7/62) Guy Green ~ Olivia de Havilland, Yvette Mimieux, George Hamilton, Rossano Brazzi

Eileen and I enjoyed this movie very much. It is a very accurate story of how parents worry about the future of their adult children. It is best to watch the movie without knowing too much about it. The acting is excellent. It is interesting to watch a young George Hamiltion in his first few years of acting. The young woman is strikingly beautiful and does a great job also. She is Weena from the original Time Machine movie. The American father is the typical 1950s father who does not want to be involved in the details but wants to make all the critical decisions. While in Italy, the American Mother grows up as much as her daughter during the film.