The Star Maker (1995)

One of last year's Best Foreign Film nominees is an odd, dour drama 
about a movie-studio talent scout (Sergio Castellitto) scouring 
Sicily for the Next Big Star.  He travels from village to village  
in his vehicle, announcing over megaphone the promises of rags to 
riches, and then setting up his lights, camera, and action to 
anyone willing to pay the 1,500 lire fee.  (To cover the cost of 
film and developing, he says.)  The villagers all end up baring 
their souls to the camera, which makes for an interesting 
travelogue of local Sicilian color.  (Early in the movie, however, 
he has everyone reciting dialogue from GONE WITH THE WIND.  In one 
hilarious sequence, the camera captures the various butchered 
readings of Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler.)  Though a very well-
produced and good-looking film, THE STAR MAKER suffers on a number 
of a fronts.  The talent scout, for example, isn't exactly the most 
likable of characters.  And though his world-- and the film-- is 
brightened after he meets a simple convent girl (Tiziana Lodato), 
she arrives so late into the story that her presence barely makes a 
difference.  Directed by Giuseppe Tornatore (CINEMA PARADISO).  
(Rated "R"/106 min.)

Grade: C+

Copyright 1996 by Michael J. Legeros

Originally posted to triangle.movies in MOVIE HELL: May 26, 1996