Non pensarci

Non pensarci (literally translated as "Don't Think About It") is an Italian comedy-drama film emanating from the 2007 film industry. The film was directed by acclaimed director Gianni Zanasi and co-written by Zanasi himself, Michele Pellegrini, and Piero Guerrera. The film stars talented actors, the likes of Valerio Mastandrea, Giuseppe Battiston, and Anita Caprioli.

Non pensarci intentionally targets its audience with a blended comic and dramatic storyline that, while bringing tears of laughter, progressively unravels complex familial ties and explores the theme of self-discovery. Zanasi manages to craft a picturesque backdrop of the modulated contemporary Italian societal landscape, giving the audience the perfect context for this story.

Valerio Mastandrea plays Stefano Nardini, the film's protagonist, who is an established Punk Rock musician in Rome with a career that is slowly falling apart. His character is a reflection of the modern urban youth afflicted with existential crisis and perpetual dissatisfaction of life, and thus, he adopts Non pensarci (Don't Think About It) as his life mantra. Nardini's casual and carefree attitude towards life is not born out of a lack of belief in any future prospects but rather from the uninspired, weary experiences his urban life offers him.

In a twisted turn of events, Nardini finds himself forced to return to his hometown, a stark contrast to the bustling city life of Rome he's accustomed to. There he finds his family running a failing business making prosthetic limbs. The old patriarch played by Giuseppe Battiston, Nardini's brother Alberto played by Paolo Briguglia and his divorced sister Michela played by Anita Caprioli, weave a family dynamic grounded in the depths of shared history, memory, and familial love. Their relationship comes with its share of hard times, disagreements, and pent up emotions, giving audiences a succinct portrayal of a dysfunctional family running a dysfunctional business.

Upon his return, Stefano is thrown into a whirlwind of family drama and business troubles, presenting him with the kind of challenges he did not sign up for. He gets involved with the failing family business and helps set things into motion. The story takes a dramatic turn as Stefano finds himself in a struggle between his autonomy and his family obligations, while managing his failing music career and growing attachment towards his hometown.

Throughout the movie, Zanasi skillfully juxtaposes the mundane aspects of rural life with the complexities and intricacies it holds beneath the surface. The idyllic seaside town is beautifully depicted, leaving audiences enchanted with its serene charm and simple lifestyle. While the story revolves around the Nardini family and their prosthetics business, it subtly explores the varying undertones of urban disillusionment, societal expectation, individual freedom, familial bonds, and personal redemption.

Non pensarci is notable for its unconventional premise that strays away from mainstream cinematic traditions. The charm of the movie intricately lies in its seemingly ordinary narrative that ingeniously depicts profound personal and social realities. The cast delivers a powerful performance, which enhances the overall experience. Valerio Mastandrea is exceptional in his role as Stefano, brilliantly showcasing a man on the edge of mid-life crisis juggling his career and familial burdens, and gradually embracing the beauty of ordinary life. Anita Caprioli also makes her mark by showcasing an array of emotions portraying a divorcee and a concerned sister.

The film has a significant imprint of Zanasi's unique storytelling style and compelling narrative structure. A combination of well-crafted dialogue, expressive cinematography, and relatable characters complements his nuanced exploration of family ties, individual responsibility, and personal endeavor, making Non pensarci a remarkable standout in the landscape of Italian cinema. It's a delightful mix of poignant drama and light-hearted comedy that reminds audiences that sometimes, thinking about it too much may just be the problem.