DbcultAccessing Vault...
Cult Review
Senior Film Conservator
Honestly, if you have a soft spot for light opera or just enjoy watching people get plucked from obscurity to stardom, you'll probably like this. It’s got that breezy, 1930s European feel. If you need grit, fast cuts, or complex moral dilemmas, you will absolutely hate it. It’s a fairy tale, not a documentary.
The whole thing centers on this Berlin opera star—Erich Bartels plays the part with plenty of confidence—who just happens to be in Sicily. He finds a guy with a voice that could crack the ceiling. It’s the classic “I found a diamond in the rough” setup. We’ve seen this before in films like The Beloved Vagabond, but there’s something about the scenery here that keeps you watching.
There's a scene near the middle where they’re just sitting around and the pacing gets so loose I thought the film had actually stalled. It’s not necessarily bad, but it feels like the director wanted us to take a nap right alongside the characters. Some might call it 'atmospheric,' I call it a bit sleepy.
The dialogue is light and airy. It doesn't try to be The Manxman or anything heavy. It’s just people talking about music and luck. Sometimes that’s enough. Other times, I really wanted someone to just trip over a chair or something to break the tension of the melodrama.
There's a weird lack of stakes here. You know exactly what’s going to happen. The "future Caruso" will get his break. The Berlin star will feel proud. It’s all very predictable, but it feels honest, if that makes sense. It doesn't try to trick you with a twist ending. 🎵
It’s not a masterpiece. It’s not going to change your life. But for a rainy afternoon? It’s a decent companion. Just don't expect it to be as sharp as Powder and Petrol. It’s much softer, much rounder.
