In ‘Bread & Tulips,’ Life’s Possibilities Slowly Bloom

Silvio Soldini’s “Bread & Tulips” is a leisurely, beguiling account of a pretty, 40-ish, underappreciated housewife and mother of teenage sons. Left behind by a tour bus while on a family vacation, she decides to hitch a ride home but ends up proceeding on to Venice, only to discover a new life for herself.

Licia Maglietta’s radiant Rosalba is an appealing individual, warm and kindly, and her middle-age blooming is so beautifully expressed it doesn’t much matter that stories like hers have been told many times on the screen--though a brisker pace might have added to the enjoyment.

Rosalba dutifully lets her cranky, indifferent husband Mimmo (Antonio Catania), a prosperous plumbing supplier in the town of Pescara, know where she is. She intends but a one-night stopover in Venice, but fate and an awakening sense of the possibilities of a happier life keep delaying her departure. Having stepped out of an existence of middle-class security, she discovers a warm welcome among a group of people of much spirit but little income.

Fernando (Bruno Ganz, master of wistfulness), a formal but generous middle-aged waiter from Iceland, offers his living room couch as a place for her to sleep. She gets a job with an elderly florist (Felice Andreasi), and she is befriended by Fernando’s neighbor Grazia (Marina Massironi), who describes herself as a holistic beautician and masseuse. Amid so much affection, Rosalba flourishes, even taking up the accordion, which she hadn’t played since childhood.

Frustrated because she won’t come home immediately and won’t reveal her address, Mimmo hires Constantino (Giuseppe Battiston), an out-of-work plumber with a passion for detective stories, to track Rosalba down and bring her home. Constantino’s arrival sets in motion events Mimmo could scarcely have predicted.

Of course, there is a strong element of fantasy in Rosalba’s adventures, but Soldini keeps them grounded in reality. He takes his time in telling her story, giving Rosalba and her new friends a chance to emerge as real people.

As admirable as his approach is, Soldini, a fine director of actors, overdoes it: “Bread & Tulips” is too lethargic and strung-out for its own good. Thankfully, it casts a pleasant, amusing and touching spell anyway, but more energy and a markedly shorter running time might have turned a sunny diversion into something more special.

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MPAA rating: R, for strong language and brief nudity. Times guidelines: language, adult themes and situations but suitable for mature older children.

‘Bread & Tulips’

Licia Maglietta: Rosalba

Bruno Ganz: Fernando

Giuseppe Battiston: Constantino

Marina Massironi: Grazia

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A First Look Pictures presentation. Director Silvio Soldini. Producer Daniele Maggioni. Story and screenplay Doriana Leondoff, Soldini. Cinematographer Luca Bigazzi. Editor Carlotta Cristiani. Music Giovanni Venosta. Costumes Silvia Nebiolo. Art director Paola Bizzarri. In Italian, with English subtitles. Running time: 1 hour, 56 minutes.

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