Lamerica (Gianni Amelio)

Rating: 3.0					Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1

Amelio's stark tale of a smug Italian businessman's journey into the 
heart of darkness -- impoverished Albania -- is as formally impressive 
and as impeccably written and acted as his previous feature, STOLEN 
CHILDREN (both films, in particular, feature the very expressive face of 
Enrico Lo Verso).  Yet, for reasons I can't quite define, both of these 
excellent pictures somehow leave me a little cold; my admiration for them 
is almost entirely intellectual.  I've seen LAMERICA on quite a few top 
ten lists, often those of critics I admire, yet I can't really work up 
much enthusiasm for it, though I certainly enjoyed and would recommend 
it.  Curious.