Castello Cavalcanti (2013)

Fantastic!

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

"Castello Cavalcanti" is an 8-minute Prada promo movie written and directed by Wes Anderson 2 years ago. He worked with several of his longtime collaborators on this one such as screenwriter Roman Coppola, actor Jason Schwartzman or costume designer Milena Canonero. In this short movie, a racecar driver crashes, but (what a coincidence) arrives in a small village where some of his distant relatives are living. He talks a bit to the people, orders spaghetti and just makes a connection with the locals. It is very obvious by the colors, the static camera shots and just the whole product that this is a Wes Anderson movie. Unfortunately, as much detail as there is to the visual side, as little attention was paid to the story. It is not interesting and there are actually some pretty stupid moments, like when he talks apparently on the phone, but does not dial a number. Even if this was just to make the bartender jealous, he at least could have pretended that he is really calling somebody. All in all, possibly Anderson's worst career effort. Nothing interesting to watch here. Thumbs down.

You have to wonder what there is from this short film were it not for the novelty of Wes Anderson directing and Jason Schwartzman starring. The film, funded by Prada as part of a campaign, sees a motor race passing through a small Italian village with the villagers temporarily behind a bale of straw as cars race through. The main pack come and go in a blink but shortly behind is another car, which crashes into the statue in the central square. The American driver gets out to seek support but discovers that he is more connected to the people and the place than he knows.There is a bigger story here perhaps but as it is this short is very light on detail. There is a certain amount of style and interest in some of the links to this bigger picture (the race, the character, the connection, the phone call) but generally there is little else to really take away. Prada don't seem to get more than their name on the credits and on the back of Jed's jacket but I guess for them this film is more about them being associated with the hottest directors and stars rather than making a traditional advert – in an industry where appearance is everything, it is the names and association they care about. I guess I should be grateful that at least Anderson brings his usual oddball style to the film but with so little time and detail it is hard to do much with it and indeed he doesn't.He does direct like there was more and Schwartzman also delivers in the same vein, but still, there only is what there is and that is not too much. It has a nice feel and Anderson fans will appreciate his style and tone, but for me there was not much here to work with beyond the novelty of seeing and expensive collaboration with novelty value – Prada appreciates the association, Anderson appreciates the money and freedom but the viewers are down the list of priorities.

Though only eight minutes long, Castello Cavalcanti is essential viewing for fans of Wes Anderson's work. With beautiful set pieces including a famous prop from Fellini's "La Dolce Vita" (both were filmed at the same studio in Rome) and a number of distinctive background characters, Anderson immediately establishes a truly memorable period atmosphere that evokes positive memories from both his own work and classic Italian films. Furthermore, Jed Cavalcanti, a Formula 1 driver played by Jason Schwarzman, is a funny, unique protagonist who fits comfortably alongside Max Fischer and Steve Zissou. Brisk and enjoyable, the film is a wonderful surprise that bears no resemblance to an advertisement and does not overstay its welcome. Anderson has stated that, with the further participation of Prada, he hopes to follow Cavalanti in more adventures filmed at other great studios around the world. Let's hope he follows through on that promising idea and that Cavalcanti becomes the star of many more Anderson shorts.

Prada excels once again with an interestingly made clip directed by a great director. Like "A Therapy" directed by Roman Polanski and starring Helena Bonham Carter and Ben Kingsley, "Castello Cavalcanti" is composed with caliber talents from the movie business, this time bringing back the successful partnership Wes Anderson and Jason Schwartzman. The pictoresque style of the director, some of his trademarks, the vibrant colors are present here in a Fellinian-like tradition. The story takes place in Italy, 1955, during a Formula One race when the Italo-American pilot played by Schwartzman crashes his vehicle at a small village and gets stuck there. The accident, a total wreckage of the car and cause of same moodiness to the pilot turns out to be something unexpectedly good when he gets involved with the local people, their routine, awakening an almost forgotten memory. He belongs there, and losing the race is no longer so important.It's a stunning, lovely and humored film filled with plenty of cultural references (a tribute to classic Italian films), very intriguing but as a campaign doesn't work much - whatever they're selling (the brand which appears in Jason's jacket). The purpose of taking a small time - though long for a commercial - and watching it works perfectly, it's vivid and entertaining. The spectacle is so immense that you really long for a feature film being made after this. Creative and engaging, "Castello Cavalcanti" is synonym of quality film and quality propaganda, things we're missing these days. 9/10