Watch I fidanzati

I fidanzati is an Italian neorealist film directed by Ermanno Olmi and released in 1963. The movie stars Anna Canzi and Carlo Cabrini in the lead roles. The film starts with a shot of a countryside landscape, and the following scenes introduce us to the lives of Giovanni and Liliana - a young couple in Milan. Giovanni works at a factory, while Liliana is a secretary at a clothing store. They have been in a relationship for quite some time and are planning to get married soon.

At the start of the film, Giovanni is sent to Sicily for work, and Liliana stays in Milan. The separation, however, remains a temporary one. The story delves into the complexities, moral dilemmas and themes of a long-distance relationship. Giovanni's forced relocation throws their relationship into turmoil as Liliana is left alone in Milan.

Throughout the film, Giovanni's connection with Liliana is established purely via letters, phone conversations, and memories. We see them writing passionate love letters for each other as they try and remain connected. Even with the distance, their communication maintains an impressive level of intimacy. They attempt to find solace in each other despite the distance created by Giovanni's work. But as time goes on, the realities of their situation begin to take their toll even on their strongest efforts at communication.

The movie is a poignant depiction of how seemingly small distances can have significant implications on relationships. We see an honest portrayal of the struggle to keep a relationship going, especially when long distances are involved. The depth of their commitment is severely tested as both characters try desperately to rekindle the spark that existed between them.

As Giovanni spends more time in Sicily, he becomes increasingly discontented with himself and his surroundings. The sense of nostalgia he experiences for his life back in Milan is palpable despite his best attempts to keep it buried. Meanwhile, Liliana enjoys her newfound independence in Milan but begins to realise that her life isn't as fulfilling without Giovanni by her side.

Midway through the film, the original romantic qualities of the film start to diminish as we delve into the more nuanced struggles of being in a relationship that's been compromised by long distances. The movie starts to show the real toll that long distances take on the emotional psyche of couples.

Ultimately, the film can be seen as an exploration of what it means to truly love someone unconditionally. Even with the distance between them, both Liliana and Giovanni endeavour to find hope, love and understanding in their relationship. While it's a beautifully made film, it makes for a slow watch but with every passing scene, it slowly builds into a powerful and moving story.

In conclusion, I fidanzati is a touching drama that offers an insightful glance into the challenges of long-distance relationships. Olmi creates a perfect balance of emotional depth and standard neo-realist representation of quotidian life – the ordinary drama of ordinary people facing ordinary struggles. It is a deeply personal movie, profound in its insights and captivating in its story.