thekines Tornatore weaves a beautiful script following the path of Joe Morelli, who travels through Sicily claiming he is a talent scout for the famous film companies of Rome. The scenery is exquisite and the stories the people divulge in his film are heart-wrenching and sincere, making the tale all the more easy to believe. In retrospect the movie closely mirrors the filmography of Fellini (think "La Strada") and becomes slightly predictable as a result, but given that Tornatore himself is Sicilian this film might be more autobiographical than one might suppose.A great film nonetheless, and strongly recommended. Pity the producers botched the movie cover/jacket. It betrays nothing about the sincerity and seriousness in the film, though you might well say it's more like a tragecomedy in some places.

mvalspeed Although the movie falls into the type of drama that one associates with Italian film, this gem lingers on the mind after having seen it. The after images, remind you of your own misgivings and desires. The main character, who is out to survive post-WWII, takes advantage of his victims, who reveal themselves in ways that are comedic to engrossing. The beauty of the setting, Sicily, serves to increase the contrast from the people who are conspired against, yet willingly give their money for a shot at greatness, but more to escape the doldrums of life, and the monotony of struggle. This is one of those films that needs to be watched, or at least added to the movie list of those that have to be watched. I think you'll enjoy it because of the simplicity of the story, the love, and the revenge.

J. Wellington Peevis I love reading the comments by the I assume female writers who took time to critique this film. All universally saying the same thing, that the sex is either superfluous or if relevant demeaning to women. Of course its demeaning to women, it was intended to be. The guy is a rat bastard, thats what the film is all about. This film takes place a long time ago in a place that still would be considered backwards. I don't understand what people expect to see, but i assume its because they are fed a steady diet of Hollywood nonsense and have been for so long, that anything that isn't the false matriarchal utopia Hollywood longs for as a reality in life, upsets them greatly. Get over it already please. This film isn't any sort of great achievement, but it is sucessful in portraying rather accuratly conditions in post war Italy. Womens attitudes in Europe differ greatly than that of their American counterparts, and probably always will. They are as equally mystified by the total desexualization of our modern American society, as we are by their willingness to openly confront issues we deem taboo.

admetus Tornatore did to me with this movie what he failed to do with "Cinema Paradiso". I used to blame myself for being insensitive comparing to people's reactions after "Cinema Paradiso" but now after this movie I know that it's not me, but the "virgin" audience in good movies that overreacted.The Starmaker is simply Perfect. The Mute's scene deserved an Oscar by itself. As a mater of fact every scene in the movie was so cinematographic that could have been easily a short movie by itself. As for the New York Times comments on the movie...... what do you expect by critiques who hailed "Shakespeare In Love". People have to understand that the old critiques of NYT that actually knew more than we do about movies are not around anymore! 11out of 10