Watch Il giovane favoloso

Il giovane favoloso is an Italian film from 2014, directed by Mario Martone, that follows the short, yet impactful life of one of the most important figures in Italian literature, Giacomo Leopardi, portrayed by Elio Germano. The movie starts with the young and sickly Giacomo, who lives in the small town of Recanati, Italy, with his strict father, Count Monaldo, played by Massimo Popolizio, his mother Adelaide, portrayed by Anna Mouglalis, and his siblings. Despite his father's attempts to control his intellectual curiosity and rebellious behavior, Giacomo spends his days reading and writing countless pages of poetry and philosophical essays, questioning the world and the society that surrounds him.

His only friend is Ranieri, played by Michele Riondino, another young man with a passion for literature, who shares Giacomo's ideals of freedom and individuality. Together, they challenge each other's concepts and beliefs, often leading to heated debates about art, nature, and the human condition.

As Giacomo grows older, he becomes more aware of his own mortality and the limitations of the world, which leads him to suffer from a profound existential crisis. He feels trapped in his hometown, where he is unable to express his ideas freely and to follow his dreams of becoming a great writer.

Despite his disappointments, Giacomo never loses his passion for literature, which he sees as the only way to escape the constraints of reality and to transcend the boundaries of time and space. He devours the works of Dante, Petrarch, Shakespeare, and other great authors, whom he considers his mentors and inspirations.

As Giacomo's health deteriorates, he begins to question the meaning of life and the existence of God, which leads him to write some of his most famous works, such as the "Operette morali" and the "Zibaldone".

The movie captures the essence of Giacomo Leopardi's complex personality, his intellectual brilliance, his emotional turmoil, and his artistic genius. Elio Germano's portrayal of the poet is remarkable, as he manages to convey the nuances and subtleties of his character, shifting from moments of intense frustration and despair to moments of profound insight and creativity.

Moreover, the film does an excellent job of recreating the atmosphere of the early 19th century, with its political revolutions, social changes, and cultural conflicts. The cinematography is beautiful, with stunning shots of the Italian countryside and its picturesque towns, which add to the aesthetic value of the movie.

In conclusion, Il giovane favoloso is a poignant, thought-provoking, and visually stunning movie that captures the essence of one of Italy's greatest poets and thinkers. It is a must-see for anyone interested in Italian literature, philosophy, and culture.