Loose Cannons

Ferzan Ozpetek                      Italy 2010               Certificate 15 with subtitles Impeccably played and staged in the luminous southern Italian town of Lecce, Ferzan Ozpetek’s gentle blend of gay rom-com and generational soap is as appealing  as it’s contrived. Thwarted by his older brother in his bid to quit the family pasta company by announcing he’s gay, an aspiring novelist (Riccardo Scamarcio) attempts to tow the line after becoming intrigued by a poor little rich girl (Nicole Grimaudo). But the tension between duty a nd desire proves unendurable. Notwithstanding a couple of misfiring subplots and a predilection for circular tracking shots, this is a slick and sweetly sentimental saga that deftly deploys overly familiar tropes to explore entrenched attitudes, foolish hopes and unfulfilled dreams with knowing wit and stylish delicacy A slickly funny and polished romantic comedy. .