3018. Ever Been To The Moon? (2015)

Starring: Liz Solari, Raoul Bova, Sergio Rubini

Director: Paolo Genovese

Running Time: 90 mins

Ever Been To The Moon? (Sei mai stata sulla luna?) is an Italian film about a successful but snobbish big-city fashion journalist who inherits a farm in a small village in the deep south of Italy, which she intends to sell despite the objections of the locals.

Yes, it’s a little bit cheesy, and it does follow a pretty similar plot to films like Welcome To The South, but there’s something so lovable about Ever Been To The Moon. A lovely blend of heartfelt drama and zany humour, it’s an easy-going movie that’ll put a smile on your face and a song in your heart.

If you’re averse to the generic Hollywood romantic comedy, then this film doesn’t necessarily have much different to offer. Its premise is predictable from the start – a snobbish city woman is landed in the middle of the countryside and inevitably finds what she’s looking for there.

However, while the overall story arc is pretty predictable and fairly cheesy, there’s actually a lot more to this film than first meets the eye. You might not be a fan of the generic romance, but Ever Been To The Moon surprisingly proves to be a genuinely heartfelt same lovably offbeat look at small-town life.

Above all, it’s actually the stories of the film’s supporting characters that’s the most entertaining. While they also follow some fairly generic romantic stories, the wide range of personalities and performances too brings real character and charisma to the movie.

It’s a bit like what makes TV shows like The Simpsons so great – telling a story that’s not just a one-note tale about the main characters, but one that tells a number of different stories about different people at the same time.

So, from the main character’s eccentric cousin to the village’s feuding bartenders and more, Ever Been To The Moon is a film that has so much zany humour and charisma wherever you look, and that’s what makes it such a joy to watch.

Sure, it’s not a masterpiece of storytelling from Paolo Genovese, with a main story that’s pretty cheesy and predictable throughout.

However, thanks to a good sense of humour, lovable characters and great performances across the board, Ever Been To The Moon impresses as a thoroughly enjoyable, easy-going comedy that’s just as funny as it is surprisingly heartfelt. So, that’s why I’m giving it a 7.7 overall.