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Bread and Tulips
EMAILPRINTFirst Look Pictures Releasing
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 21 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 7 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie >
Movie Info
Genre(s): Romance
Written by:
Doriana Leondeff
Silvio Soldini
Directed by: Silvio Soldini
Release Date:
Theatrical: July 27, 2001
DVD: March 26, 2002
Running Time: 104 minutes, Color
Origin: Italy / Switzerland
Language(s): Italian (with English subtitles)
Summary
RATING: PG-13 for brief language, some sensuality and drug references
Starring Licia Maglietta, Bruno Ganz, Marina Massironi, Giuseppe Battiston, and Felice Andreasi
This masterpiece of hope-fulfilled traces a married woman's hesitant first steps from a complacent nuptial bed to a giddy and lighthearted freedom she had never experienced and hardly even knew existed. (First Look Pictures)
Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database Official Studio Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert
It may be that a relationship like the one here between Rosalba and Fernando is impossible in real life. All the more reason for this movie.
Read Full Review >New Times (L.A.) Jean Oppenheimer
A charming little film, filled with eccentric characters and ingratiating performances.
Read Full Review >Chicago Reader Fred Camper
The first half of the film, in which Maglietta gradually discovers herself as something other than a servant, is genuinely engaging.
Read Full Review >The New York Times Dana Stevens
Soldini's amiable new comedy suggests that an older, better Italy of imagination, rationality and civility survives on the fringes of a modern nation obsessed, like most others, with consumerism, empty prosperity and easy pleasure.
Read Full Review >Washington Post Stephen Hunter
Nicely done, sweet, delicately comic and a complete delight.
Read Full Review >Philadelphia Inquirer Carrie Rickey
Actresses such as Maglietta are why movies were invented: You never get tired of her mercurial personality or of her infinitely compelling face.
Read Full Review >Baltimore Sun Chris Kaltenbach
Soldini's consistently understated touch, and a poignant turn by Licia Maglietta as the confused and bemused main character, turns Bread and Tulips into a character study worth studying.
Boston Globe Loren King
Manages the right balance of fairy tale and joyous self-discovery. And the Venice locations don't hurt.
Christian Science Monitor David Sterritt
Maglietta gives a magical performance in this lightweight but flavorsome comedy.
Read Full Review >LA Weekly Hazel-Dawn Dumpert
Maglietta, whose soulful countenance and offhand grace are soothing to behold, and Ganz, who says more with a shrug and sigh than most poets do with a sonnet.
Read Full Review >Los Angeles Times Kevin Thomas
Too lethargic and strung-out for its own good. Thankfully, it casts a pleasant, amusing and touching spell anyway, but more energy and a markedly shorter running time might have turned a sunny diversion into something more special.
Read Full Review >Seattle Post-Intelligencer William Arnold
A sweet-spirited, extremely well-cast little comedy.
Read Full Review >Austin Chronicle Marjorie Baumgarten
It's an endearing romantic daydream, but misses the bus where matters of reality are concerned.
Read Full Review >New York Daily News Elizabeth Weitzman
As escapist fantasies go, this easygoing romance is a modest winner.
Read Full Review >Mr. Showbiz Michael Atkinson
For some viewers, this will seem a trial of predictability and unrelenting sweetness; for others, it's more than enough.
Miami Herald Marta Barber
It's all very sweet, but the film goes in too many directions.
Read Full Review >Village Voice Jessica Winter
A happy ending is never at issue here -- it's clear where she's going, but there's little clue where she's been.
Read Full Review >TV Guide Frank Lovece
Characters' eccentricities feel contrived and the wackiness seems forced, though the film's amiable ambling does keep the viewer intrigued, if not charmed.
Read Full Review >Washington Post Desson Thomson
A little too shopworn and pokey to be more than a respectable European diversion.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this movie is 9.4 (out of 10) based on 7 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
B Kidman gave it a10:
I love this movie. I have watched it at least 10 times in the last six months and it never gets old. It is well acted and so cute it makes you feel good.
Gennaro R. gave it a 10:
Too good to be true!
Kim W. gave it a 9:
A gentle and endearing film about human nature and relationships. The plot may be somewhat unrealistic and far-fetched, but it works very well in terms of keeping the viewer interested in what will happen next. There's plenty of subtle humor delightfully presented in a way that only Italian film makers are capable. Whatever flaws the film may have are easily overlooked by its very competent acting and directing. The underlying message of the film is simple and uplifting: that it is never too late or too hopeless to find love and happiness.
Joan G.S. gave it a 10:
Sure this is an old theme but never before treated with such whimsey, I laughed throughout as did most of the audience. Great cast, great direction. For us who are starved for good comedy...this is a must see!
Andrys B. gave it a 10:
I loved this film. Many forget that it's meant to be whimsical (I thought this was rather clear -- "You're real!" ) and complain it's not "realistic" enough. That was not the goal. But in many ways, it IS realistic, actually, in feeling when it's not just delighting in human quirks. Romantic whimsy. We could use a lot more of this - beautifully acted and directed. And, FUNNY !!
