New Int'l. Release

Anthony, Warrior of God

Antonio, Guerriero di Dio (Italy)

By JAY WEISSBERG

An 01 Distribution release (in Italy) of an AB Film. Produced by Angelo Bassi. Directed by Antonello Belluco. Co-director, Sandro Cecca. Screenplay, Belluco, Angelo Grasso, Giovanna Caico.
 
With: Jordi Molla, Arnoldo Foa, Paolo De Vita, Matt Patresi, Andrea Ascolese, Marta Jacopini, Franco di Francescantonio, Damir Todorovic, Michele Melega, Nuccio Siano, Luca Lionello, Mattia Sbragia, Eleonora Daniele.
 

Doctrinally sound but historically shaky and artistically unimpressive, helmer Antonello Belluco's "Anthony, Warrior of God" may be the first film to deal with the popular saint, but only ardent devotees of Anthony of Padua will notice its release. In style and content more like small screen fare than theatrical fodder, pic invents events to give the story some narrative flow, but the weak script is a lot limper than the saint's still preserved tongue. Small local release couldn't generate more than passing interest.

Acolytes of "The DaVinci Code," along with historians, may be surprised to see mathematician Fibonacci (Nuccio Siano) shipwrecked on the Sicilian coast with the Portuguese friar Anthony (Jordi Molla, "Bad Boys II"). Usurer Tebaldo Gherardi (Franco di Francescantonio) believes he can make a fortune from Fibonacci's discoveries -- since when did New Math make anyone rich? -- so sends henchman Baldrico (Matt Patresi) along with thief Folco (Paolo De Vita) to recover the mathematical treatise. Instead, Folco falls under Anthony's charismatic spell, helping him to rid Padua of the evil moneylenders. Molla is fine, but lensing mimics History Channel reconstructions, and music is excessively puffed up.

Camera (color), Gino Sgreva; editor, Alessio Doglione; music, Pino Donaggio; production designer, Virginia Vianello; costume designer, Lia Morandini. Reviewed at Il Labirinto, Rome, June 19, 2006. Running time: 102 MIN.