This movie held my attention, and the acting --especially the little boy's--was excellent. The thematic of the movie is lying about tragic events, or-- if you prefer a different wording-- a "closed" and secretive attitude towards them. In some cultures, there is a considerable degree of openness about cancer, suicide, and death in general. (For example, see Ikiru, a great Japanese movie). In other cultures (and I would say Italian is one of them) these situations are treated with great secrecy, and the individuals most directly affected by them are not told the truth. I think most Americans will guess pretty early in the movie what really happened and the revelation at the end will not be a surprise at all. This made it a little hard for me to relate to the central issue of the movie, though I think it was probably very moving for many viewers, and of course we can sympathize with a child who has lost his mother, regardless of the circumstances.
Review of Sweet Dreams
