FILM REVIEW

Jennifer K Mahal

The title character of “Eugenio, I Love You” is a man with a quiet

life. Eugenio (Giancarlo Giannini) gets paid to do gardening at the local

police station, volunteers with patients at a hospital and lives alone in

a beautiful country villa. Nothing remarkable, except that the

fortysomething-year-old has Down syndrome, a genetic condition that

causes mental disabilities.

Director Francisco J. Fernandez brings Eugenio’s tale, based on a true

story, to life in a thoughtful, if sentimental, film that raises

questions about how people judge the quality of their lives.

At the hospital, Eugenio watches over Laura (Chiara de Bonis), a young

woman recovering from a coma who is unresponsive to the world. As he

starts to reach Laura, we learn in flashback about Eugenio’s past and his

friendship with two women -- Elena (Giuliana De Sio) and Cristina.

When Elena comes back to town, she and Eugenio revisit their

friendship, a bond that becomes strained after some major revelations.

Told in Italian with English subtitles, “Eugenio, I Love You” is a

film made of moments -- both happy and sad -- that meld together into a

decent film. You may want to bring your hanky.

* “Eugenio, I Love You” will play at 8 tonight at the Lido Theater,

3459 Via Lido, Newport Beach. There will be a gala after the film, which

closes the 2002 Newport Beach Film Festival. Tickets are $35.