"The Leopard" is a limited-episode series recently released on Netflix. Based on the Italian novel Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, it has an English translation and is for mature audiences only. The series features Saul Nanni, an actor from the film "Love and Gelato," as Tancredi and Benedetta Porcaroli as Concetta.
This series follows a 19th-century Sicilian family that is involved in sociopolitical times. The Prince of Sicily, Don Fabrizio (Kim Rossi Stuart), is an arrogant man with political obligations who has to choose between his son Paolo (Alberto Rossi) and his nephew Tancredi. The love between Concetta and Tancredi is forbidden, becoming a family spectacle. Tancredi decides to marry another woman named Angelica (Deva Cassel). This leaves Concetta heartbroken, and she returns to her convent after her father and Tancredi betray her.
Highs
In "The Leopard," the 19th-century expectation was as imagined; the dresses and Sicily's scenery were beautiful. Sicily's old architecture was gorgeous, bringing the old-fashioned aspect of the film together. The time during when princes and princesses were known, it had the theme down perfectly.
The character growth of Concetta was robust. She was this heartbroken and shy girl that slowly turned into a comanderable woman. She was in love with Tandcredi, but became another person when he broke her heart. She learned from her mistakes and used them as a lesson. Her passion for Tandcredi would never leave, but that doesn’t mean she cannot continue with her life.
The relationship between Don Fabrizio and Concetta is a highlight, considering how pure their father-daughter bond is. It was beautiful and well done between both characters. Fabrizio would do anything for his daughter; she was his favorite. She was precious to him, and it showed the pure love he had for his daughter.
The depth of the characters was high because this series examines themes of power, morality, and societal change. It adapted how Italy became one country, with Italian unification and a series of military and political events occurring during this period. The war was shown as a background significance that drove the country's change.
Lows
The main low was the pacing, which could sometimes be slow. This can disengage the audience because the historical context is heavy. The other critical aspect that could make the audience uninterested is the romantic interest of Concetta and Tancredi. They are cousins, so this could be odd for the audience, considering it is not normalized. This was more normalized during the 19th century, but not in modern times.
Verdict
"The Leopard" is worth watching, considering how well-developed the 19th-century theme is and the character development. It is full of political change that can result from actual events in Italy.
Rating: 8 out of 10
Mariam Fakhreddine is a film and theater reviewer for The Eastern Echo. She has worked as a news and features reporter for The Echo for two years.
