Safe Return Doubtful

or Grace – 2025 Italian Drama

On the face of it, a film about an aging Italian President in his last months in the post, faced with several moral crises, may not seem like a film that should not be missed, yet it is. 

It is frequently delightful visually with the back drop of the Palazzo del Quirinale and some splendidly dry wit. The lead role of the President is played by the excellent Tony Servillo, who is a regular in the director, Paolo Sorrentino’s films. Sorrentino’s work is new to me, so I will catch up on his other work in the next few months. 

One of the things that make the film special are the occasional episodes of the surreal that Sorrentino slides in. Notable and memorable are the arrival of the Portuguese President to the Palace, and the dinner of the Alpini veterans. 

I’m sure it will be one of my films of the year. 

IMDb score 7.4 / 10, My score 9 / 10