Rodeo Drive

: Giulio, forty years old with a rented house, a set job with the local government, a new car with financed monthly payments. He has a rebellious but nice daughter, a young son who is a dreamer, and a beautiful wife whom he loves and… cheats on. Giulio is caught and his wife leaves him. Suddenly his life falls apart – he finds himself having to pay two rents, double bills, eat alone in squalid taverns and hide from creditors. But he doesn’t let anyone know about these troubles because Giulio is a good man, and an honest father who doesn’t want his children to pay for his mistakes. He works hard, no longer sleeping, living only to make more and more money that never seems enough. This man, who until recently was strong and self-confident, is now poised in unbalanced equilibrium, walking a tightrope into an unknown future with arms outstretched, eyes closed and fear in his heart.

The strength of ‘Balancing Act’ is its ability to depict the reality of present-day Italy. Without preachiness and eye-winking concessions, De Matteo portrays that sense of helplessness that envelops you when the door of “I want to, but I can’t” is slammed shut in your face.

Davide Stanzione Film TV