I tried very hard to like this movie because I love the fantasy genre, especially subtle entries like PORTRAIT OF JENNIE and MIRACLE OVER MILAN but this movie jumps the track. Why? Simple, you just cannot believe in the sincerity of the title character. Marina can see into people's minds (maybe even their hearts?) but while she is trying to be the guiding influence in the lives of her neighbors her own life is a shambles because she misinterpreted a prophecy concerning herself. Alas this barefoot girl with cheek to spare needed someone to advise her while she was advising others. Too bad this movie was not made 20 years earlier with Vittorio DeSica directing and maybe Monica Vitti in the starring role. Then we might be acknowledging it as a classic today. Well we can dream, can't we?
Review of The Butcher's Wife
