Film #27: GIRL BY THE LAKE

Girl By The Lake
3 out of 5 stars
A very metered telling of a story that is half murder mystery and half character study. This Italian film won 10 Donatello Awards and stars Toni Servillo (GOMORRAH) as a cop who investigates the murder of the titular character while dealing with a teenage daughter and a wife who is institutionalized due to what appears to be early stage Alzheimer’s. Servillo brings such pathos & gravitas to his role and it is he who fuels the narrative. Some will find this film slow and unexciting, but for those with patience, there are some very subtle and rewarding moments. I enjoyed this one. Look for Valeria Golino (BIG TOP PEE WEE, HOT SHOTS PART DEUX) in a very small, but well done role.