Movie Review: The Salt of Life

4 stars out of 5

Is this me in 20 years? (The Salt of Wound?) Sixty-three-year-old writer/director Gianni Di Gregorio plays 63-year-old Gianni, a prematurely-retired admirer of beautiful younger women who is a bit too shy to pull the proverbial trigger. The result is a light, charming film that either you will totally love, like I did, or at the very least, be really inspired to book a vacation to Rome.

And what a beautiful Rome it is that DiGregorio presents. The sun is always shining. There is wine, music, food, and yes, lots and lots of beautiful young women. They’re everywhere, and Gianni can’t help but look, often stopping dead in his tracks while walking the dog to turn and stare, entranced. This is his true life’s work but he is constantly being distracted from it by more mundane matters: his overbearing 96-year-old mother (a terrific character and performance), his sex-obsessed lawyer friend, and—oh yes—his immediate family. Gianni lives with his wife but they seem to be just “friends.” His daughter is more sympathetic to Gianni, and then there’s her can’t-quite-break-up-with-him boyfriend, who is the Italian version of that sweet dumb kid from The Descendants.

The story is fairly episodic in nature—amusing little vignettes—but themes definitely develop. Aging, for sure, and can we still be attractive and vital. Obligations to family, and the excuses we give ourselves for not pursuing our passions. And the modern economy hangs over the proceedings—characters can’t find decent work.

I was enjoying the movie well enough, and then the final 3 minutes, 22 seconds brought it to a whole other level for me. A perfect ending to the movie. Bravo, Gianni!