A man and woman meet at the hospice they both inhabit, and fall in love... but find their amorous exploits frowned upon by their families, the staff, and even some of their peers. Like MAKE WAY FOR TOMORROW and its descendant TOKYO STORY, this movie touches on how we treat our elderly. But it adds an element that neither of those films could address: sexuality. Marco Ferreri (himself in his mid-60's at the time and surely starting to think about these issues) makes a stand for a senior citizen's right to intimacy, privacy, dignity and vanity. It's a warm and funny film, done with great sensitivity and sharp humor. Occasionally the comedy gets a little broad, but I loved touches like the contrast provided by the silly, lurid soap opera on the television. Ingrid Thulin (in her final on screen role, and what an inspired bit of casting) and Dado Ruspoli make a charming couple, Thulin especially is an absolute joy to watch. I also loved the African immigrants who provide our protagonists with their only safe haven. And such a bittersweet melancholy to the ending. Another win for Ferreri.
Review of The House of Smiles
