Watch Girl with a Suitcase

Girl with a Suitcase is a poignant Italian drama from 1961, directed by Valerio Zurlini. The film tells the story of a small-town nightclub dancer named Aida (played by the indelible Claudia Cardinale in her prime). Aida's life takes a turn when she receives a visit from a young man named Lorenzo (Jacques Perrin), who has come to town in search of his biological mother.

The twist is that Lorenzo's mother turns out to be none other than Aida herself. The two do not know each other yet, but through a series of events, their paths will eventually cross. The film explores themes of family, identity, and the power of love to heal past wounds.

The opening scene of the movie sets the tone for the story that is to unravel. We first see Aida dancing at a night club in a small Italian village, where she is the main attraction. She is surrounded by men who are vying for her attention, throwing roses at her feet, and trying to win her over. It is clear that Aida is used to the attention and the adulation she receives from the men around her. However, she seems to harbor a secret pain that is hinted at by her melancholic aura.

Enter the young man Lorenzo, who is on a quest to find his biological mother. Lorenzo has just returned from military service in Africa, and he is determined to uncover the truth about his past. He comes to the village where his mother is rumored to live, and begins to search for her. Through a series of coincidences, Lorenzo ends up visiting Aida's house, where he meets her younger sister, Rosetta (Luciana Angiolillo).

Rosetta and Lorenzo strike up a friendship, and it becomes clear that she is very fond of him. Meanwhile, Aida begins to take an interest in Lorenzo, too, sensing that he may have some connection to her past. As the film progresses, Lorenzo's true identity is revealed, and Aida must come to terms with the truth about her past.

Girl with a Suitcase is a beautifully shot film, with stunning landscapes and cinematography. The film takes place in various parts of Italy, from the small coastal village where Aida lives, to the big city of Milan, where Lorenzo has come from. The contrast between the two worlds is striking, and the viewer gets a sense of the shifting cultural and social landscape of Italy in the early 1960s.

One of the standout features of the movie is Claudia Cardinale's performance. She is captivating as Aida, portraying a woman who is both strong and vulnerable, glamorous and flawed. Her character is complex, and Cardinale handles the emotional nuances of the role with aplomb. Jacques Perrin, too, gives a strong performance as Lorenzo, playing a man who is determined to uncover the truth about his past, even if it means confronting difficult and painful memories.

The film's director, Valerio Zurlini, is known for his ability to capture the human condition with sensitivity and depth. In Girl with a Suitcase, he explores the complex relationships between family members, and the ways in which the past can affect the present. The film is not without its moments of humor and levity, but overall, it is a somber meditation on the nature of identity and love.

In conclusion, Girl with a Suitcase is a classic piece of Italian cinema that has stood the test of time. It is a film that is both visually stunning and emotionally resonant, with strong performances from its cast and a thoughtful, nuanced script. If you are a fan of foreign cinema or classic films, this is a movie that should not be missed.