Passione (2011)

89% of critics liked it
(35 reviews)
58% of users liked it
(251 ratings)

Little wonder that Passione, John Turturro's wild, colorful, sexy ode to the music and people of Naples, was "rapturously received" (Variety) and interrupted by "spontaneous outbreaks of applause" (Sight + Sound Magazine) in Italy, where it played for more than four months (its soundtrack on the… More Little wonder that Passione, John Turturro's wild, colorful, sexy ode to the music and people of Naples, was "rapturously received" (Variety) and interrupted by "spontaneous outbreaks of applause" (Sight + Sound Magazine) in Italy, where it played for more than four months (its soundtrack on the charts for five). A brilliant actor in film, theater, and television, Turturro is also the director of three features (including the hilarious, irreverent Romance & Cigarettes which premiered at Film Forum) and a man whose talents are fueled by an unquenchable zest for life. He describes Passione as "a musical adventure that comes directly out of the people and the volcanic land they inhabit. Conjuring ancient stories and myths that still live -- of love, sex, jealousy, and social protest -- each song is a small screenplay, an emotional postcard. I tried to see if I could understand in a small way, a little bit of the soul of the city, while at the same time killing clichés about it. There are places you go and once is enough. Then there's Napoli." --(C) Strand

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: John Turturro
Genres: Musical & Performing Arts, Documentary

In Theaters: Jun 22, 2011 Limited
Studio: Cinecittà Luce

Critic Reviews

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
It's a happy ramble through the storied streets with Turturro as our guide, not pretending to be an expert; it's more like having a good friend take you to this place he really loves.
Ty Burr, Boston Globe
Close to the sublime, especially if you have a thing for sensuous Italians of either gender unleashing ballads of soaring romantic masochism.
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
This is a one-of-a-kind documentary.
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
Passione is a surprise and a delight from beginning to end.
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor
What Turturro, who appears in the film as a combination tour guide and impresario, has come up with is closer to a fantasia than a traditional documentary.
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
A beautifully structured and photographed film, John Turturro's rapturous "Passione" offers a vibrant exploration and celebration of Neapolitan music in all its grit and glory...
Joe Williams, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Turturro creates the sense that music spews spontaneously from the average Neapolitan and limits the film's educational quotient. But as anyone who has been to Naples knows, you don't go there to learn but to live, out loud.
Sarah Boslaugh, Playback:stl
Nothing is middle-of-the-road here: It's heartbreaking passion or riotous humor, and always performed at full throttle.
Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews
...the music, with songs of infidelity, romance, sorrow and joy, is my draw to "Passione."
Laura Clifford, Reeling Reviews
...something very unique and often mesmerizing
Clint O'Connor, Cleveland Plain Dealer
Part documentary, part musical, all fabulous. John Turturro's deep affection for Naples, Italy, and its music shines through every frame.
Rob Thomas, Capital Times (Madison, WI)
That's the charm of "Passione." Turturro is so head over heels in love with this city and this music he's willing to risk looking a little stupid. Ah, l'amore.
Kelly Vance, East Bay Express
Like pasta, Turturro throws it on the wall and some of it sticks.
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul), St. Paul Pioneer Press
There's a pleasant song at the beginning of "Passione." Then, another one that sounds almost exactly the same. Then, another and another and another.
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times
Loosely structured as a sort of musical travelogue, with 23 song performances interwoven, it's as passionate as the singers it showcases, enveloping the viewer in the soulful music it celebrates.
Shawn Levy, Oregonian
You can't exactly say you've learned the story of Neapolitan music after watching it, but you certainly feel invigorated by the color, motion and, especially, sound that Turturro has marshaled.
Ron Wilkinson, Monsters and Critics
A multi-dimensional painting of the rich culture of Naples in sound and image.
Nora Lee Mandel, Film-Forward.com
[D]espite confusing presentation of . . . specifics of each song and artist . . . the passion comes through, enthusiastically bringing Neapolitan music to the world stage.

Read all 18 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Greg S

John Turturro takes us on a tour of the Naples music scene, where a melange of influences---from opera to Arabic music to American jazz/pop of the 1940s (brought in by G.I.s during WWII)---blend together to create a unique musical atmosphere. Almost entirely built around full length… More
John Turturro takes us on a tour of the Naples music scene, where a melange of influences---from opera to Arabic music to American jazz/pop of the 1940s (brought in by G.I.s during WWII)---blend together to create a unique musical atmosphere. Almost entirely built around full length music-video style performances, it's more a variety show than a documentary. Entertaining, but your actual rating will depend on how well you like the performers.