By Keith Walther | Rose Law Group Reporter
Director Alejandro Monteverde has done it again and brought moviegoers a story that puts their heart in a vice grip from the opening scene and never lets go. “Cabrini” is the epic true story of a historical figure who many people have likely never heard of, which is a shame because her story is one everyone needs to know. Exceptional filmmaking and a truly powerful performance from the lead make this film an absolute must-see.
In the late 19th century, there was a significant influx of Italian immigrants in New York City with dreams of limitless opportunities. Unfortunately, due to prejudicial treatment, they were forced to live in squalor, ravaged by disease and death and leaving behind orphaned children whose only hope for survival was to live amongst the rats. Finally obtaining approval from Pope Leo XIII (Giancarlo Giannini), Mother Cabrini (Cristiana Dell’Anna) embarks on an ambitious journey to New York to help hundreds of orphaned children to give them a chance at life.
Unfortunately, Cabrini is met with resistance at every turn, being repeatedly dismissed as an Italian immigrant and as a woman. Despite ailing health, her steely resolve refuses to back down as she goes toe to toe with New York’s power elite at the time including Archbishop Corrigan (David Morse) and Mayor Gould (John Lithgow). Only her tenacity and entrepreneurial mind has the chance to overcome overwhelming odds to leave a lasting legacy that could change the world forever.
After his eye opening and inspirational film last year, “Sound of Freedom,” writer/director Alejandro Monteverde follows that achievement with this truly stunning and widely unknown biography of the first American to be canonized by the Roman Catholic Church. “Cabrini” is storytelling at its finest by a director who clearly cares about how this important historical account is captured on screen. His dedication to capturing the essence of this impressive woman is remarkable as evidenced in an early screening of the film by 90+ year old nuns of Mother Cabrini’s order who left the theater in tears proclaiming that is who Cabrini was.
Alejandro is equally committed to presenting this era as accurately as possible, and he successfully captures the look and feel of late 19th century New York. The level of detail is outstanding down to the costuming which modeled the images taken of Mother Cabrini at that time. Then there’s the gorgeous cinematography the director employs with fluidly smooth camera movements that make transitions seamless and encourage viewers to feel that they’re a silent observer of these events. Alejandro’s ability to use these filmmaking techniques to enhance the incredible storytelling is the mark of a great director. Unfortunately, similar to “Sound of Freedom,” there is no marketing for this movie so many people will sadly miss the opportunity to witness his achievement on the big screen.
Of course, a story like this would fall flat without a powerful performance from the lead actress. Italian actress Cristiana Dell’Anna not only provides that power, but she also commands the screen in a way that leaves viewers breathless. She ascends to a level of acting few in the business can achieve, embodying the role so flawlessly the audience cannot tell where Mother Cabrini ends, and Cristiana begins. She imbues her character with the stoic strength and steely determination that this heroic nun had to have in order to overcome constant challenges and many rejections from men in power throughout her life. When Cristiana’s heartfelt emotion and anguish bubbles to the surface on those rare occasions, she has the audience right there with her, feeling her pain. It is a riveting performance, the likes of which should be remembered come Oscar time next year. This is likely the first film many Americans will be exposed to this wonderfully talented actress, who has spent her entire career so far in Italian cinema, but hopefully it won’t be the last.
While this may be based on a religious historical figure, the director made a concerted effort to keep the focus on the person and historical events rather than religion to make it more accessible to everyone regardless of faith. “Cabrini” is mesmerizing, thought provoking, tragic, triumphant, inspirational, and emotionally moving, and is the perfect film to be released on International Women’s Day. Go see this movie, it’s a story everyone should be exposed to that will have you wondering how you have never heard of this incredible woman until now.
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