I'd seen the stage musical before the original 1962 movie, so I already knew the story of Light in the Piazza. If you haven't, you'll see a really interesting mother-daughter dynamic unfolding on the screen. Olivia de Havilland and Yvette Mimieux are vacationing in Italy and having a wonderful time seeing the sights - but then they see a couple of really great sights: Rossano Brazzi and George Hamilton. George is immediately smitten with Yvette's beauty, innocence, and appreciation of the little things. Olivia is an overprotective mother, and she tries to put a stop the romance. But when she gets to know George's dad, Rossano, she starts to see things differently.
There's a twist to the plot that I won't spoil, but if you look up the movie online, you'll read about it in the first sentence or two. If I were you, I'd go into it without knowing anything. It'll give you a reason to watch it twice, to fully appreciate everyone's performances. Both women completely nail their characters, from the overt to the nuanced. Yvette is beautiful and open, without inhibitions or judgment. When she cries, it's as if it's the first time she's ever felt pain before. Olivia is strong and cautious, a difficult dichotomy. She's completely believable as a mother who will do anything to stop her child from getting hurt. Though it's a bit of a heavy drama that will spark discussions afterwards, I'd recommend it. You'll see some great acting and pretty scenery (not only the guys - it was filmed on location!).
There's a twist to the plot that I won't spoil, but if you look up the movie online, you'll read about it in the first sentence or two. If I were you, I'd go into it without knowing anything. It'll give you a reason to watch it twice, to fully appreciate everyone's performances. Both women completely nail their characters, from the overt to the nuanced. Yvette is beautiful and open, without inhibitions or judgment. When she cries, it's as if it's the first time she's ever felt pain before. Olivia is strong and cautious, a difficult dichotomy. She's completely believable as a mother who will do anything to stop her child from getting hurt. Though it's a bit of a heavy drama that will spark discussions afterwards, I'd recommend it. You'll see some great acting and pretty scenery (not only the guys - it was filmed on location!).