The Keys to the House

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Nov 18, 2015 B R A V O ! .. a superb "documentary" thanks to a non-actor Andrea Rossi, who as "the obvious weakest link" saved the giants See more Jul 13, 2013 A fairly simple story about a father trying to build a new relationship with his special needs son who he abandoned at birth. A great performance from Kim Rossi Stuart and a welcome supporting performance from the always great Charlotte Rampling. It's one major flaw is that its scenes with the special needs kids feel a bit too Special Olympics triumph of the human spirit. See more Jan 2, 2013 A film that will stay with you because of its portrayal of a young man with disabilities who was abandoned by his father and how he copes with life. In particular it's about a few days when his natural father is united with his 15-year-old son and the effect it has on both of them.<br/><br/>The strength of the film is the astonishing performance by Andrea Rossi as the son Paolo and very strong performances by Kim Rossi Stuart as his father Gianni and Charlotte Rampling as the mother of another patient at the hospital. Rampling really provides the heart of the story, the heartbreak, guilt, love, and perseverance of a parent of a child with severe disabilities. She provides the voice of a lifetime of experience to Gianni who is experiencing this for the first time.<br/><br/>The weakness of the film is the back story -- why after 15 years is Gianni finally accepting some responsibility. The idea that his son's doctors think it might be helpful is ludicrous. Shipping off the son by himself with a stranger who doesn't know how to take care of him is child abuse. However the resulting interaction between Paolo and Gianni is riveting and the writers don't give any easy answers or resolution.<br/><br/>Visually the film is interesting with trains and other transportation being a primary motif for the changes the characters are experiencing as they travel across Europe. See more Nov 26, 2012 (*** 1/2): [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img] Well-acted and rather moving. See more Apr 11, 2012 A great look at parents (new or not) of children with disabilities. Honest portrayals, interesting insights, and great scenes between father and son. Worth a viewing. See more Jan 5, 2011 A touching and affecting portrait of human relationships The Keys to the House is the tale of a father, Gianni trying to form a relationship with the severely physically and mentally handicapped son, Paolo, he abandoned at birth 15 years previously. Having been raised by his aunt and her partner, Paolo has developed a keen sense of determination and a sensitivity that his father seems ill prepared for. We find them on a trip to a specialist hospital ward in Berlin where Paolo is to undergo tests and treatment for his condition and it is here that they meet Nicole, mother to another handicapped child. It is she that helps Gianni come to terms with his actions and prepare him for what he is to face and this leads to a journey where Gianni learns as much about himself as he does about his son. Kim Rossi Stuart as Gianni is magnificent and manages to impart a difficult role with a touching humanity and vulnerability. Andrea Rossi as Paolo allows us an insight into a world that craves independence but needs constant reassurance and support. Charlotte Rampling as Nicole proves why she is one of the finest actors of her generation as she manages to convey more emotion in a single glance than many can in a whole movie. This is not a big story, it is a quiet, reflective and intimate tale and it is beautifully directed. Gianni Amelio allows his cast to play out the full depth and range of emotions that the story requires. There are long periods of silence and the film is peppered with tiny moments of tenderness and humanity which make this a rare and effective gem of a movie that has lessons for all of us. See more Read all reviews

The Keys to the House

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