As befits a pupil of Ermanno Olmi, this film by IsabellaSandri is set in specific provincial surroundings: in Polesinain the countryside of Veneto, the hinterland of Venice. Theimportance of couleur locale in the film is enhanced byworking with non-professional actors and the use of the localdialect.The film opens with a prologue in which two children arechristened in a religious ceremony. They are Chiara and Nino,cousins who are borne to the altar by grandmother Rosa. Thefamily plants two young trees for the children.Twenty years later. Chiara and Nino are lovers in a verydifferent age. The two trees have been cut down to make room forugly new buildings. Nino, who grew up as an orphan with lovinggrandmother Rosa, is selfish, greedy and a gambler. Rosa iswrestling with a drink problem herself and worries about herfuture. Chiara had a trouble-free youth in a family with enoughmoney. She can do what she likes, but just as she is about tospread her wings, she is overtaken by insecurity. In aconversation with Rosa, who can feel her end is nigh, she allowsherself to be persuaded to marry Nino.Rosa, played by Anna Recchimuzzi, increasingly emerges ontocentre stage as the film progresses. Her role has been describedas the most realistic and moving character in Italian cinema ofrecent years.
