Pinocchio

Disney's Pinocchio gets a gritty makeover in Matteo Garrone's adaptation, but the charm of the classic tale feels overshadowed. While it attempts to stay true to its roots, it often stumbles in pacing and emotional depth.

A Tale of Adventure and Growth

This version of Pinocchio follows the familiar story of Geppetto, a woodcarver who brings a wooden puppet to life, hoping for companionship. Pinocchio, played by Federico Ielapi, yearns for adventure and faces a plethora of challenges, including magical beasts and deceivers. As he navigates through these encounters, the central theme of wanting to become a real boy keeps surfacing. However, the film, with its 124-minute runtime, sometimes lingers a bit too long on certain segments, leading to a sense of weariness that detracts from the emotional stakes.

Performances with Limited Range

Federico Ielapi captures the whimsical innocence of Pinocchio, but his performance occasionally feels one-dimensional, lacking the depth necessary to convey his character's growth. Roberto Benigni as Geppetto brings warmth but is underused for most of the film, leaving the father-son dynamic feeling somewhat superficial. The supporting cast, especially Gigi Proietti as Mangiafuoco, adds flair, but many characters are simply archetypes and don't develop beyond their initial roles. This lack of character depth leaves viewers wanting more from the interactions.

Visually Striking but Slow

Matteo Garrone's direction is visually striking, with rich, fairy-tale aesthetics that evoke a sense of wonder. Yet, the pacing issues become glaring as the film alternates between visually lush scenes and slower, exposition-heavy moments. The cinematography is commendable, with beautiful landscapes and intricate set designs, but at times the visual splendor detracts from the storytelling. A tighter edit might have allowed the narrative to flow more smoothly, maintaining audience engagement.

Emotionally Mixed Experience

Watching Pinocchio can be a mixed bag. While there are moments of charm and nostalgia, the film often drags, demanding patience from viewers. The emotional beats are present but feel muted, perhaps due to the lengthy runtime that occasionally leads to moments of distraction. The message about growing up and responsibility is undoubtedly important, yet it struggles to land effectively with all the narrative detours the film takes. The intended emotional resonance often gets lost in the film's slower sections.