Watch To Be Twenty

To Be Twenty is a heart-wrenching movie directed by Fernando Di Leo in 1978. The movie tells the story of two young women, Lia (Gloria Guida) and Tina (Lilli Carati) in their early twenties, who leave their hometown to live in Rome's big city. The film is set in the backdrop of the ‘70s youth culture, full of psychedelic visuals, progressive rock music, and countercultural themes.

At the start of the movie, Lia and Tina meet at a local swimming pool, and they instantly get along with each other. Lia is shy, timid, and respectful, while Tina is outgoing, bold, and adventurous. They both share a mutual passion for rock music and fashion, and over time, they become inseparable friends.

The movie then goes on to showcase their lives as young women living together in Rome. They work odd jobs to make ends meet, and on their off days, they explore the city, attend concerts, and dance at nightclubs. Lia, who is skilled in sewing, creates unique and flashy outfits for them to wear while getting a career in fashion. They meet numerous people, including a group of friends who work as extras in movies, and begin to indulge in their new carefree and fun lifestyle.

As they progress through their twenties, Lia and Tina's personalities begin to diverge, and their friendship goes through a significant test. Lia is ready to settle down and get married, while Tina yearns for freedom and independence. Her adventurous spirit leads her down the path of promiscuity and drugs, keeping her from living where they once dreamed.

The onset of the movie takes a turn when Tina meets Roberto (Ray Lovelock), a rich and confident man from Milan that both she and Lia fall for himself, believing he is their true love. Roberto fuels their youth's passion, but as their relationship becomes more complicated, it slowly starts to unravel their friendship. This tenuous relationship between Roberto, Lia, and Tina continues through most of the movie as their emotions deepen, and things become more complex than they ever thought.

The climax of the movie takes place when Lia and Tina's complicated feelings towards Roberto become a central conflict between them, unable to communicate what they truly feel towards Roberto and themselves. Their once-budding friendship, now rife with tension, is put to the test, and the audience feels the raw emotions that both characters go through as they try to navigate their new reality.

Gloria Guida and Lilli Carati deliver unforgettable performances as they bring Lia and Tina's complex characters to life with exceptional attention to detail. They expertly transition from shy and timid to open and carefree in their young adulthood, capturing the essence of the youth of the ‘70s. Ray Lovelock also gives an excellent performance as the charming and enigmatic Roberto.

The movie also features fantastic cinematography, capturing the vibrant and colorful landscape of Rome, which perfectly encapsulates the feeling of being young and free in the 1970s. The music is also well-chosen, featuring popular progressive rock songs of the era, which intensify the gritty and edgy mood of the movie.

In conclusion, To Be Twenty is a beautiful and poignant movie about friendship, love, and youth, perfectly encapsulating the counterculture of the 1970s. It portrays the trials and tribulations of being young and figuring out life, the pain of broken friendships, and the path of self-discovery. The movie is a lasting testament to the director's skill, creating a memorable and profound film that resonates with viewers even after many years.

To Be Twenty is a 1977 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9.