PINOCCHIO (2019)

Cast

Plot

Live-action adaptation of the classic story of a wooden puppet named Pinocchio who comes to life. This is a largely faithful, visually neat adaptation of Collodi's classic of children's literature. Talented director Matteo Garrone (Il Racconto dei Racconti, Dogman, L'Imbalsamatore) keeps the darker side of his imagination at bay and correctly puts his visual talent in service of the story. Performances are solid; Roberto Benigni is much better as Geppetto - warm, paternal, lovably awkward - than he was as Pinocchio. Even the kids are fine, with Ielapi as the titular protagonist, the naive, stubborn but well-meaning Pinocchio, Baldari Calabria as the quietly mischievous young fairy and Di Domenicantonio as toxic friend Lucignolo. Special mention to the excellent make-up and costumes.