Misunderstood

Misunderstood is a heartrending 1966 British drama directed by the iconic Italian film director Luigi Comencini. This emotionally charged story navigates the complicated and turbulent world of childhood. The cast includes the talented Anthony Quayle, Stefano Colagrande, and Simone Giannozzi. The screenplay, written by Leonardo Benvenuti, Piero De Bernardi, and Comencini himself, is based on the homonymous novel by Florence Montgomery, initially published in 1869.

The evocative film unfolds in the picturesque setting of a Victorian-era family dwelling in Britain, where audiences are introduced to the protagonists of the story - two young brothers, Miles and Hughie. Portrayed by the compelling performances of Stefano Colagrande as Miles, and Simone Giannozzi as Hughie, the boys share an unbreakable bond burgeoned from shared experiences and mutual understanding.

Anthony Quayle, a British classical stage and film actor who is renowned for his commanding performances in Shakespearean plays, essays the role of the boys' father. He delivers a remarkable and poignant performance as a strait-laced and hard-to-please widower trying his best to parent his children after the tragic demise of his wife.

The premise of the story hinges on the miscommunication and misunderstanding between the father and his children. Quayle's character, a high-ranking naval officer, tries to guide and discipline his kids with sternness and rigidity customary of his profession, unknowingly steering a wedge between him and his children. The boys, however, yearn for the love and companionship of a parent, but constantly find themselves at odds with their father's harsh and seemingly insensitive demeanor. The movie brilliantly explores how this misunderstanding between them affects their lives and relationship.

Misunderstood can rightly be labeled a coming-of-age film as it beautifully captures the tender and oblivious transition of the two boys from innocent childhood to the complex world of adulthood. Throughout the narrative, the movie provides a profound depiction of the children's perspective, thus encouraging viewers to reassess their understanding of parenting and communications with children. As such, the narrative remains intriguing and genuinely compelling as it treads into uncharted territories of emotional complexities and cognitive differences between children and adults.

Miles and Highie are seen seeking solace in each other's company and their engaging imagination. Their imaginative world serves as an escape from their lonely lives, providing comfort, joy, and occasionally, comic relief. The adventures and misadventures that the boys embark upon provide a fascinating view of their resilience and optimism and stand as a stark contrast to the harsh reality of their circumstances.

The director Luigi Comencini has skillfully presented the story with gentle ambiguity and emotional intensity. His adept use of visual storytelling, dialogue, and symbolism effectively conveys the varying emotional landscapes of the characters, the central themes of misunderstanding, and the nuances of human emotions.

While maintaining a melancholic undertone, Misunderstood focuses on sensitive subjects like loss, grief, and miscommunication, and their impacts on a child's world. It beautifully highlights how children, despite their juvenile understanding, can interpret and navigate the world, yielding a poignant commentary on the resilience and psychological strength of children.

The cinematography of the movie beautifully captures the dreamlike haze of childhood perception while deftly contrasting it with the murky, gritty reality of adult life. The film, through its splendid cinematographic choices and production design, enhances the storytelling by visually presenting the stark discrepancy between the warm, seemingly invincible world of childhood imagination and the cold, often convoluted world of adult realities.

In the end, Misunderstood is an emotionally rich and thought-provoking movie with excellent performances, especially from the child actors. Anthony Quayle's strong yet subdued portrayal of the father is also gripping. The film serves as an eye-opener into the heartwarming innocence, unsettling realities, and intricate emotional layers of childhood. Providing a profound insight into human nature, parenting, and a child's psychology, Misunderstood is a compelling cinematic piece that leaves a lasting impression on audiences.