Rating: NNNNN
IL POSTO (Ermanno Olmi, 1961) demonstrates why Italian neo-realism still has the power to charm: this style of filmmaking lets us live with characters we grow to love, instead of backing them into the death throes of a plot. Young, bashful Domenico (Sandro Panseri ) applies for his first job, meets Antoinetta (Loredana Detto) and attends the most realistic office party ever filmed. Be assured that this movie has no car chases or special effects. There aren’t even big laughs. Olmi’s gentle opus approaches the effortless grace of Vittorio De Sica’s The Bicycle Thief. For those with patience, his three-hour peasant saga The Tree Of Wooden Clogs is also quietly rewarding. NNNN (April 17, Cinematheque)
