Sadly Over-hyped

I wanted to but couldn't!

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

This is a typical Italian coming of age move that is set on the gorgeous Greek island of Ios. A well put together Italian movie about an aunt who brings her adolescent niece along for a "singles" girls trip to an erotic Greek island. Girl meets boy and so on... we all know where this is going. Overall a subtle, nicely executed movie with a cute message and a great ending. Well worth watching. A real 9/10 Italian movie that was made abroad. Nicely done folks. The island of Ios truely shines in this movie. With it's pristine beaches and perfect Cycladic settings Ios truly shines in this adaptation. If you are in the Greek islands Ios island is well worth the day-trip from Santorini; if not only for the beaches and the excellent main square nightlife. Enjoy.

Thousands of backpackers descend upon Greece in the summer. This time it was an Aunt (Stefania Montorsi) and her niece (Martina Merlino) that joined them. Stefania was getting over the breakup of an eight-year relationship with Andrea (Giampaolo Morelli), and Megghy (Merlino) was looking to lose her virginity.It was a very light romantic chick-flick that took place on Ios. It had a great soundtrack from Boy George to Mozart, from The Village People to Debussy.Ultimately, it was a light salad; just enough humor to keep you interested, but little else.I did like Montorsi and would like to see more of her in the future.

Wow, did I feel torn about this film! On one hand, the film had some exceptional characters (in particular the aunt). But, on the other, the play was so inappropriate and sick in how it dealt with teen sexuality it really made me angry. If you look at this film from a completely amoral standpoint, it is a very good film with a lot to recommend it. As a parent and teacher, I was just horrified at times as I watched.First, what I liked. Aunt Stefania was a great character. At the beginning of the film, she was extremely rigid and controlling and so naturally her relationship with her boyfriend, Andrea, was falling apart. This opening sequence was extremely funny as they contrasted how both viewed the health of their relationship. He was miserable and yet all the terrible things she did, she saw them as the strengths of their relationship! Later, towards the end, there was a cute little twist that brought them back together. Throughout the film, some very good (but morally suspect) writing really kept my interest. Plus, having the beautiful backdrop of the Greek Isles made this film exciting to watch.Now as for the bad. Stefania's niece, Megghy, was a horrible mess of a character. Although she was not quite 15, her sole ambition in life was to love her virginity with ANYONE and lose it quickly! In addition, she was a habitual liar and a self-absorbed little jerk. Now had she faced any consequences for this, it could have been funny or interesting--but this never happened.What bothered me in particular is that Stefania is supposed to be an adult. Megghy lies to the aunt about a girl scout trip in order to go to the Greek Isles to get laid. When this supposedly responsible aunt discovers the ruse as well as why Megghy wants to go, she basically allows Megghy to run amok through the very horny island trying to find a willing partner and drink herself into oblivion! While Megghy looked older than her chronological age, her judgment was completely unsound and she was a child--and she was a likely candidate to get raped or get an STD or become pregnant (even if she went with her aunt to pick up boxes of condoms). This was supposed to be cute and funny--but to me it just seemed sleazy and morally bankrupt. Had Megghy been an adult, then perhaps you might have felt uncomfortable about her dippy behavior but you'd agree that as an adult she's free to mess up her own life. But to have the aunt help facilitate? This is just sick. Had Megghy wanted to become an assassin or sexually abuse farm animals, would Aunt Stefania have said 'no'? This film desperately needed some adults who were willing to behave as adults.Excellent but depraved writing--I worry what messages this film might be sending to young and impressionable kids.

Superb. Simply superb. This film has a way of making you relate to each one of the main characters in a witty, funky and delightful way. It manages to make a point without taking itself too seriously. It takes place on the Island of Ios in the Cyclades...and somehow, for the two hours you are watching, you feel like you're there! It becomes your story. After watching it, I always feel so elated and happy (which is rare, I assure you). I hope this director continues to make films, as her perspective is refreshing, entertaining and enlightening. I'm very excited to see what else she comes up with. As a side note, the soundtrack is also wonderful. I wish it was more readily available.