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Poster for Respiro

Respiro

Seen it?

2002 | 95 min | Drama

Sunday Safe Betearly rating

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It earned strong reviews (76% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had almost no lasting buzz and soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 35 min.
What might put you off
It's in Italian, so expect subtitles (or a dub).

Grazia is a free-spirited mother-of-three married to shy fisherman Pietro and living on the idyllic but isolated island of Lampedusa in the Mediterranean Sea. She shows signs of manic depressive behavior — one moment she's laughing wildly and swimming half-naked in the sea, while the next she's curled in a ball on her bed. Out of her earshot, the adult members of her extended family vaguely discuss sending her to a facility of some sort in Northern Italy.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    76% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.6 out of 10

  • AwardsWeak

    0 wins and 3 nominations from smaller awards and festivals

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $7 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    About 6K people sought it out in the past year

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Cast & crew

Directed by Emanuele Crialese

  • Valeria GolinoGrazia
  • Vincenzo AmatoPietro
  • Francesco CasisaPasquale
  • Veronica D'AgostinoMarinella
  • Filippo PucilloFilippo
  • Muzzi LoffredoNonna
  • Elio GermanoPier Luigi
  • Avy Marcianovelista francese
  • Giuseppe Del Volgozio Pino
  • Matteo SolinaZio Antonio