"The irreconcilable chasm between a curious and intelligent son and his mulish and jerkwater-minded father comes to a head in the climax, and their final showdown is visualized in distinct constraint and asperity, its physical tension and emotional strain is almost unbearable. Throughout the entire film, it becomes a knee-jerking reaction for a father to hit his insubordinate son, also results in one of the lasting images from PADRE PADRONE, with Gavino resting his head on Efisio's knees, and the latter's hand raising up aloft.
Taviani brothers's film earns its import for being a fervid advocate of the then unorthodox rejection of patriarchy and paternalism, the land of Sardinia is poetically and lyrically limned with a superb pastoral pastel. Both Antonutti and Marconi are fine performers, the former actually evokes a remarkable impression of Efisio's interiority out of his rough-hewn designation. Only Marcella Michelangeli's role as the matriarch is silenced and relegated to the sideline, it is rather odd she doesn't try to mediate between the two men like any Italian mother will. "
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Taviani brothers's film earns its import for being a fervid advocate of the then unorthodox rejection of patriarchy and paternalism, the land of Sardinia is poetically and lyrically limned with a superb pastoral pastel. Both Antonutti and Marconi are fine performers, the former actually evokes a remarkable impression of Efisio's interiority out of his rough-hewn designation. Only Marcella Michelangeli's role as the matriarch is silenced and relegated to the sideline, it is rather odd she doesn't try to mediate between the two men like any Italian mother will. "
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