:
Sergio Assisi,
Sergio Assisi,
Gabriella Pession,
more...
:
Lina Wertmüller,
Lina Wertmüller
see all cast/crew...
: Koch Lorber Films
: Comedies, Foreign, Italy
: 108 min.
: Italian
: English
see additional details...
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The life and times of Italy's King Ferdinand are played for laughs in this comic historical piece directed by Lina Wertmuller. Set in the 18th century, Ferdinando E Carolina opens with the aging Ferdinand falling ill and being taken to his bed, with his life story told in flashback. A naturally rambunctious and impetuous child, Ferdinand grows to young adulthood and is poised to take over the crown at 16. The powers behind the throne have arranged a marriage with a princess from Austria (despite the fact that Ferdinand has already taken a lover), but she dies of smallpox before the wedding can take place; her sister is next proposed as a fitting mate, but then she dies as well. When a third sister, Maria Carolina, is presented, Ferdinand is decidedly unenthusiastic, given the family's track record on the path to the altar. But when Ferdinand's advisors (and Carolina's mother) start to lean on him, he agrees, and he soon discovers on their honeymoon that he and Carolina get along famously in the bedroom, if nowhere else. While Ferdinand is never quite cured of his roving eye, Carolina soon has the King under her spell, and her political power soon rivals his own. While much of the cast of Ferdinando E Carolina (aka Ferdinand and Carolina) are newcomers, veteran Italian film stars Silvana De Santis and Mario Scaccia appear in supporting roles. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
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| Randy Royalty
by talltale
May 23, 2006 - 2:44 PM PDT
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Another in the later oeuvre of Italian writer/director Lina Wertmuller, FERNANDO & CAROLINA is a randy historical romp through 1800's royalty, specifically that of Italy (King Ferdinando I of Naples), as well as Austria and Spain. Like her 1996 "The Nymph," this 1999 movie is full of sex, though "F&C" is a lot lighter in tone--romantic and life-embracing while observing the concurrent political and, to a lesser extent, economic and medical conditions that could make life so, uh, tricky back then. Since this film deals mostly with royalty and the upper classes, expect some knockout views of castles, bedrooms and hallways. This is one eye-poppingly gorgeous movie.
Wertmuller's attitude--always pro-women but with an understanding and respect for men--has made her less than popular in some feminist circles but has stood her work well over time. She understands how and why sex, economics, politics and history come to bear on so many of our decisions, whether we're peasants or kings and queens. While the movie may not be all that accurate historically, I wager you'll watch it smiling and thinking, "Why not? They may very well have been just like this!" If we over-rated some of Wertmuller's earlier films ("Seven Beauties," "Swept Away"), her later work may be equally under-appreciated and certainly under-seen. |
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GreenCine Member Rating
(Average 6.43)
7 Votes
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