The Last to See Them (Sara Summa, 2019): Italy

Reviewed by Jeremy Ellison. Viewed at AFI Fest 2019.

Inspired by Truman Capote’s crime novel In Cold Blood, Sara Summa’s feature length debut is a story about an Italian family’s last day alive. The film opens with a textual account of the family’s murder, and then takes us to the start of that fateful day. We see them go through their day as if it were any other (because it is, until it isn’t) and observe their daily interactions. The premise is simple. Too simple, though.

I found the concept, while very intriguing, to be wholly underutilized. Staying true to a naturalistic style, there is no conflict, no character arcs, and no drive to the story. What should have been an affecting reminder of the fragility of life, is far too hollow to leave any impact. It never felt like an appreciation of life either, because what is presented to us, is a very dull and uneventful day in the life. Summa seems to think that, because we know this family is going to be murdered very soon, everything that happens beforehand is worthwhile of our time, and haunting. Unfortunately, she is wrong.

The cast is entirely composed of non-actors, which furthers the film’s naturalistic feeling. The father of the household, Renzo, is a typically stern father. His time at home is mostly spent watching television and restraining his children, Matteo and Dora. Matteo is the youngest in the family (but also the only smoker, funnily enough) and regrettably so. His conflict, if there is any, comes from him being annoyed at being the least respected person in the household. His sister, Dora, is slightly older. Old enough to have a cell phone and a boyfriend who occasionally comes over for a movie and a goodnight-kiss. (That’s about the extent of their relationship.) The mother, Alice, has very few lines throughout the film. She constantly looks visibly exhausted or discomfortable. Renzo briefly mentions a stomach ailment she has, but the film makes nothing more of her situation. If this family doesn’t sound too interesting, it’s because they aren’t. Maybe the film’s biggest problem is that neither the characters or their lives are particularly interesting. The film urges you to care about what happens to this family, without giving you any reason to care for them in the first place.

At the very least, I was expecting the film to be tragic, but I’d be lying if I said it was. A story such as this should inherently and easily affect its audience, but it never does. But still, I urge others to watch this film for themselves, as some might appreciate its simplicity, subtlety, or its relatability. For me, however, it was only disappointing.