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The Invisible Boy: When Technology and Fantasy Merge
Have you ever imagined being invisible? Well, “The Invisible Boy” is a sci-fi/fantasy movie that explores this idea. Directed by Gabriele Salvatores and released in 2014, this Italian film follows the story of Michele Silenzi (Ludovico Girardello), a 13-year-old boy who discovers he has the power to become invisible.
The Storyline of “The Invisible Boy”
The story begins with Michele living with his mother (Valeria Golino) and grandfather (Fabrizio Bentivoglio). He is struggling with school and being bullied by his classmates. In his grandfather’s lab, he finds a machine that makes him invisible. He uses his new power to protect himself from bullies and also hopes to discover the truth about his father’s mysterious disappearance.
Soon after, Michele meets a new girl in school, Stella (Noa Zatta), who becomes his friend. She helps him understand his powers and together they embark on various adventures. However, their fun is short-lived as they soon realize that there are people out there who want to exploit Michele’s powers for their own gain.
The Plot Unfolds
As the plot unfolds, we see that Michele’s power to become invisible is a result of his father’s experiments. His father was a scientist who worked on creating a device that could make anything invisible. However, the government shut down his research and he went missing soon after.
Michele’s grandfather, who was also involved in the research, continued with the experiments secretly. He had been waiting for Michele to develop similar powers as his father to complete the project.
The Cast of “The Invisible Boy”
The movie has a talented cast including Ludovico Girardello as Michele Silenzi, Valeria Golino as Anna Silenzi (Michele’s mother), Fabrizio Bentivoglio as Sergio Silenzi (Michele’s grandfather), and Noa Zatta as Stella.
Girardello delivers an impressive performance as Michele, portraying the struggles and emotions of a young boy convincingly. Golino and Bentivoglio excel in their roles as well, bringing depth to their characters and adding to the overall emotional impact of the film.
The History Behind “The Invisible Boy”
“The Invisible Boy” is not a new concept; it is based on a 1954 Italian novel “The Invisible Boy” (Il Ragazzo Invisibile) written by Antonio Pagliaro. The story has been adapted several times for television and film, but Salvatores’ version is the most recent and updated one.
The movie was a box office success in Italy, grossing over €7 million. It also won the David di Donatello award, which is Italy’s equivalent of the Oscars, for Best Visual Effects and Best Sound.
The Score and Popularity
The movie’s soundtrack was composed by Pivio and Aldo De Scalzi, who also worked on Salvatores’ previous films. The music complements the visuals well and adds to the overall ambiance of the movie.
Despite being an Italian film, “The Invisible Boy” received international acclaim. It premiered at Toronto International Film Festival and screened at several other film festivals around the world.
Evaluation
“The Invisible Boy” delivers a unique blend of sci-fi/fantasy elements with real-life struggles that young teenagers face. It tackles themes such as bullying, loneliness, family relationships, and friendship in a relatable way.
The special effects are impressive, especially when Michele becomes invisible or visible again. The cinematography is also noteworthy; Salvatores uses color effectively to convey different emotions and moods in different scenes.
However, the movie has its flaws. The plot is somewhat predictable, and some scenes feel rushed or underdeveloped. Also, the ending feels a bit abrupt, leaving some questions unanswered.
The Cinematography
As mentioned earlier, Salvatores’ use of colors effectively conveys different moods and emotions in different scenes. For example, he uses cool blue tones to depict Michele’s loneliness and sadness at school. In contrast, he uses warm yellow tones to show his happiness and excitement when he discovers his powers.
The cinematography also captures the beauty of Trieste (where the movie was filmed) and adds to the overall aesthetic appeal of the film.
Opinion on “The Invisible Boy”
Personally, I enjoyed watching “The Invisible Boy.” The idea of being invisible has always fascinated me, and this movie explores it in an entertaining way. I appreciated how it tackled real-life issues such as bullying and loneliness while keeping it engaging with fantasy elements.
The performances by the cast were excellent, particularly Ludovico Girardello’s portrayal of Michele. He brought empathy and relatability to his character.
The film’s pacing could have been better though; some scenes felt rushed or too long. Also, the ending left me with more questions than answers, which was disappointing.
Memorable Scenes from “The Invisible Boy”
The movie has several memorable scenes that stand out. One of them is when Michele first realizes his power to become invisible. It is a pivotal moment in the film, and Girardello’s expression captures the wonder and excitement perfectly.
Another standout scene is when Michele and Stella sneak into a club using Michele’s invisibility powers. It is a fun and thrilling sequence that showcases their friendship well.
Gossip and Special Effects
One of the most talked-about aspects of the movie was its special effects. The team behind them did an excellent job of making the invisible effects look believable. They paid attention to details such as shadows, footprints, and clothes to make it seem like someone was indeed there.
There were also rumors that Salvatores used a body double for some scenes where Girardello had to appear invisible. While this may or may not be true, it does not take away from how impressive the special effects were.
The Dialogue in “The Invisible Boy”
The dialogue in the movie is well-written and adds to the character development. Michele’s frustration with being bullied is highlighted through his conversations with his mother and grandfather. Stella’s bubbly personality is evident in her dialogue too.
However, some of the conversations between Michele and his grandfather feel forced or unnatural. They are used mainly to explain plot points, which takes away from the otherwise organic flow of the movie.
The Crews Behind “The Invisible Boy”
“The Invisible Boy” has a talented crew behind it. Gabriele Salvatores, who directed the film, is known for his work on critically acclaimed movies like “Mediterraneo” and “I’m Not Scared.”
Antonio Piazza and Fabio Grassadonia wrote the screenplay, which was based on Pagliaro’s novel. They are known for their work on other successful Italian films such as “Sicilian Ghost Story.”
The special effects team that worked on the movie deserves praise too; their attention to detail made Michele’s invisibility powers seem believable.
Criticisms
While “The Invisible Boy” received critical acclaim overall, it did have its share of criticisms. Some critics felt that the plot was too predictable and lacked originality.
Others criticized the movie for not exploring some of its themes fully. For example, Michele’s relationship with his father could have been developed more, given that it is a central plot point.
Production and Editing
The production and editing of “The Invisible Boy” are well done. Salvatores uses various camera angles and lighting to create moods in different scenes, which adds depth to them.
The editing is also noteworthy; the transitions between scenes are smooth, and the pacing is generally good.
Conclusion: A Blend of Science Fiction and Fantasy
“The Invisible Boy” may not be perfect, but it is an entertaining movie that explores a unique idea. It blends science fiction and fantasy seamlessly while also tackling real-life issues that young teenagers face.
The cast delivers strong performances, particularly Ludovico Girardello as Michele. The special effects are impressive, making Michele’s invisibility powers seem believable.
While there are criticisms about the movie’s predictability and underdeveloped themes, “The Invisible Boy” is still an enjoyable watch that will leave you pondering about what you would do if you had the power to become invisible.