A One Mann’s Movies review of “Primavera”. (2026, 4*, 15).
I’m not sure how true-to-history this tale is (the film is based on a novel; not a biography), but regardless of that, this makes for a sumptuous tale of the orphan residents of Ospedale della Pietà: a renowned convent and music school in 18th Century Venice.
One Mann’s Movies Rating:
Plot:
Cecilia (Tecla Insolia) is growing up in an orphanage, raging, in letter-writing form, against her imagined mother for deserting her. A talented violinist, she is enraptured by the music of the virtuoso Antonio Vivaldi (Michele Riondino), who is recruited by the convent to enhance their reputation and income. The attraction between the pair can go nowhere though: partly because Cecilia is already promised in marriage to a war-hero Sanfermo (Stefano Accorsi); but mostly because Vivaldi is a celibate priest.
Certification:
UK: 15; US: NR. (From the BBFC website: “Strong sex”. I would actually view this as quite a ‘soft’ 15. There are some distressing scenes, but I didn’t view the “strong sex” as particularly strong.)
Talent:
Starring: Tecla Insolia, Michele Riondino, Fabrizia Sacchi, Andrea Pennacchi, Valentina Bellè, Stefano Accorsi, Hildegard De Stefano, Miko Jarry.
Directed by: Damiano Michieletto.
Written by: Ludovica Rampoldi & Damiano Michieletto. (Based on the novel by Tiziano Scarpa.)
Running Time: 1h 38m.
Review:
Positives:
- The Venice-based production design looks terrific, with sumptuous costumes, hair and make-up and some beautiful cinematography by Daria D’Antonio.
- The music (by Fabio Massimo Capogrosso, and of course Vivaldi) is paired with some really clever sound mixing to great effect. As Cecilia (Tecla Insolia) raps a riverside tune on her violin to dancing children you hear the tiniest snippets of The Four Seasons playing in Vivaldi’s mind.
- The female-led story had me gripped from beginning to end. Bits of it are quite predictable, but that didn’t detract from it. (Indeed, as the Illustrious Mrs Movie Man commented, it allowed her to know when to bury her head in her hands!)
- The two leads – Tecla Insolia and Michele Riondino – deliver excellent performances. At one point, during a medical examination, Cecilia looks directly into the camera sharing a knowing glance with the audience that immediately takes you along with the plot without a word being spoken. In another truly wonderful scene, fireworks herald a ‘show don’t tell’ moment with Cecilia and Vivaldi sharing a glance that again speaks volumes.
Negatives:
- You could argue that – a bit like “The Two Towers” – the whole film might be perceived to be a little pointless: what happens at the end could arguably have happened at the beginning without any of the intervening plot! The ending could also be seen as a bit rose-coloured, whereas the reality would probably have been far darker.
- Cat lovers will positively hate the opening two minutes: you have been warned!
Triggers?
As stated above, the opening of this film will be very distressing for cat-lovers.
Summary Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this one far more than I was expecting. Although set in a much earlier century, it had the sort of delicious production quality and engrossing story as “Cabrini“: one of my favourites from 2024.
Where to watch?
Trailer:
The trailer for the film is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-fEjuVy5cQ.
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