Why a Vespa ride through Rome became a masterpiece of modern Italian cinema
In short: Nanni Moretti’s 1993 film Caro diario is a semi-autobiographical diary that turns the mundane into the profound. Across three distinct chapters, Moretti explores everything from urban gentrification and the banality of film criticism to a harrowing, real-life medical misdiagnosis, proving that the most compelling stories are often our own.
Structured as an open diary, the film follows Moretti as he navigates life in Italy. In the first chapter, he takes to his Vespa, using the half-deserted streets of Rome as a backdrop for his musings. He critiques the state of contemporary cinema, laments the gentrification of Roman neighborhoods, and pays homage to Pier Paolo Pasolini at the site of his death. This wandering narrative sets the tone for a film that prioritizes personal observation over traditional plot.
The second chapter shifts to the Aeolian Islands, where Moretti seeks creative solitude. Accompanied by a friend who has spent eleven years studying James Joyce, Moretti finds that true escape is elusive. As they hop from Lipari to Salina and finally to the isolated Alicudi, they encounter hyperactive children, megalomaniac mayors, and the creeping influence of television. The segment serves as a sharp commentary on the impossibility of escaping modern life, even in the most remote locations.
The final chapter, based on Moretti's own experience, takes a darker turn. After suffering from persistent itching and insomnia, Moretti endures a year of useless medical advice and ineffective alternative treatments. It is only when a doctor finally orders an X-ray that he discovers a curable Hodgkin's lymphoma. The film concludes with a bitter critique of a medical establishment that failed to listen to its patient, highlighting the absurdity of a system that prescribes costly drugs while ignoring the simplest symptoms.
Released in 1993, Caro diario earned Moretti the Best Director Award at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival. While it remains a significant work of European cinema, its reception has been varied, holding a 67% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Ultimately, the film stands as a testament to the power of the personal essay in film, blending humor, tragedy, and social commentary into a singular, reflective experience.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Caro diario
- Also: Wikidata — Caro diario · CC0
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