Pia Miranda plays Josephine Alibrandi, an effervescent, smart, confused teenager dealing with her final year at a really snobbish Catholic school that she received a scholarship to. Josie has to deal with growing up with Nonna Katia, a highly disapproving grandmother who faults Josie's mother for having Josie out of wedlock. Not to mention that they are Italians, commonly (but not nicely) known as wogs in Australia where family is important and a little stifling. For 17 year old Josie this is a difficult year: she has final exams to pass, a boy interested in her and a boy she wants, even daydreams about. Her mother and grandmother have been keeping secrets from her and each other and this all comes out in very real screaming frustration and disappointment.
This film started as a novel with the same name and explores so many areas: love, family, not getting what you want and of course friendship. There are some incredibly funny moments in the movie, schoolgirl clashes and a plot which manages to surprise. Pia Miranda is very present on screen, and she is a really multi dimensional character able to scream, be flustered, make mistakes and her acting is truly dynamic in this role (and she won an award for it). Looking for Alibrandi is a good way of seeing the cultural mix in Australia - the distinct snobbery towards the 'wogs' and some beautiful scenery of Bondi Beach. The film deals with the year in passing from the typical 'wog' tradition of tomato making to a real surprise for Josie. Josie's mother is able to treat her as an adult yet influence her as a mother and Nonna Katia is great initially as Josie's conscience until things change.
The soundtrack is lovely and brings much empathy for teenagers for this movie (in fact the novel is part of the school curriculum in Australia!). Despite this seemingly youth-orientated approach it is also an attractive proposition for adults, because the film's issues are dealt with in an adult manner that we all can relate to. Looking for Alibrandi gives a great insight into Australia. |
