18.2 C
Byron Shire
March 29, 2024

Cinema Review – God Willing

Latest News

Man charged over domestic violence and pursuit offences – Tweed Heads

A man has been charged following a pursuit near Tweed Heads on Monday.

Other News

Superbowls

Superbowls is your go-to spot for a burst of woodfired flavour! Nestled in Byron Arts and Industry Estate, the...

Roller derby rocks the Cavanbah Centre

The Red Kennedys have once again dominated the Northern Rivers Revolt Roller Derby Tournament held at the Cavanbah Centre over the weekend of March 16-17.

Safety and preparation saves lives on the water

A large number of boaters are expected to hit the water over the Easter long weekend and Marine Rescue NSW is reminding boaters to be prepared and log on to the Marine Rescue NSW app.

Dynamic, rustic yet polished

Animal Ventura is the brainchild of Byron Bay-based singer-songwriter Fernando Aragones. Growing up playing punk and reggae in noisy garage bands in Southern Brazil, Aragones ventured to Australia where the eclectic sounds of the Sydney music scene beckoned.

Community grants on offer

Ingrained Foundation is running its fifth annual grants program, with a funding pool of $150,000.

Records galore!

Byron Bay Easter Record Fair returns again to Ewingsdale Hall. Now in its 15th year, the Byron Bay Easter Record Fair is one of the biggest and best in this country. Matt the Vinyl Junkie has spent years on buying trips to the US and Japan scouring dusty warehouses, shops, flea markets and private collections. He can offer an astounding 30,000 records in one place covering most genres.


Atheists and believers are poles apart, but there is one thing that they have in common – none of them knows for good and certain if they’re right. As a prominent heart surgeon in Rome, Tomasso (Marco Giallini) is pragmatic and curt, a man who knows what it means to not pull his punches. His life of wealth and privilege has been built on unchallenged certainties. When his son Andrea (Enrico Oetiker) announces that he intends abandoning his medical studies to join the priesthood, Tomasso is flabbergasted – to the father it is as ridiculous as wanting to be a bagpipe player.
Edoardo Maria Falcone’s sweet-natured movie deals with Tomasso’s struggle to cope with what to him is incomprehensible. And on top of that, his neglected wife Carla (Laura Morante) decides that she has had enough of her station in life and moves into the maid’s room. The catalyst for such radical upheaval has arrived in the form of charismatic priest Don Pietro (Alessandro Gassman), who has had a profound influence on Andrea. Tomasso’s broadmindedness can only stretch so far – it’s always the case – and he employs a private investigator to get to the bottom of Don Pietro’s activities – why IS he receiving wads of money from a stranger on the street?
The farcical episodes that follow are never quite foolish enough to diminish the themes of acceptance and self-empowerment – in one hilarious scene, Tomasso has to play the husband to his irate, put-upon hospital assistant – and the whole is held together by fine performances and a simplicity of delivery. The Eternal City is shot with a retro loving eye by cinematographer Tomasso Borgstrom and, just when you’re all cosy in the softly-softly debate between God and science, an incident shakes you out of your complacency and leads to a finale of intense emotional impact. If Falcone comes down on the side of the angels it is in an acceptable way that is neither didactic nor exclusive. A film of compassion and hope.


Support The Echo

Keeping the community together and the community voice loud and clear is what The Echo is about. More than ever we need your help to keep this voice alive and thriving in the community.

Like all businesses we are struggling to keep food on the table of all our local and hard working journalists, artists, sales, delivery and drudges who keep the news coming out to you both in the newspaper and online. If you can spare a few dollars a week – or maybe more – we would appreciate all the support you are able to give to keep the voice of independent, local journalism alive.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Where should affordable housing go in Tweed Shire?

Should affordable and social housing in the Tweed Shire be tucked away in a few discreet corners? Perhaps it should be on the block next to where you live?

Making Lismore Showground accessible to everyone

The Lismore Showground isn’t just a critical local community asset that plays host to a number of major events each year, but has also been used as an evacuation centre during past natural disasters in the region. 

Iconic Lennox beach shed upgraded –  not demolished

Lennox Park and the shelter shed has now been upgraded and reopened.

Govt cost-shifting ‘erodes financially sustainable local government’

Byron Shire Council looks set to add its voice to the growing chorus calling on the state government to stop shifting responsibilities and costs onto local government.