THEn escape with Santa Claus, available from today on Netflix is an Italian Christmas film that tells the friendship between a child looking for a father figure and a thief who dresses up as Santa Claus. It is a remake of the French film A very special friend, released in 2014.
On the run with Santa Clausthe plot of the movie
Antonio (Enea Indraccolo) is a 7-year-old fatherless boy who lives with his beloved mother Chicca (Ilaria Spada). Unlike his peers, in the letter he sent to Santa Claus, instead of toys, asks to be able fly on his magical sleigh towards the star where his dad “lives”..
On Christmas Eve, while Chicca is courted by Javier (Mario De La Rosa), a Spaniard he met during a party with friends, Antonio suddenly wakes up in his bedroom. The reason? Pasquale (Giampaolo Morelli), a man dressed as Santa Claus who makes him think, has fallen onto the terrace that his dream is about to come true.
In reality, Antonio is a very skilled thief. And with the little boy’s complicity, he begins to burgle house after house, tightening his grip a friendship that will change their lives forever. And perhaps also the (sentimental) one of mother Chicca.
Giampaolo Morelli in a scene from “Escape with Santa Claus”. (Netflix)
A classic comedy and an irreverent thread
Directed with a sure hand by Volfango De Biasi, On the run with Santa Claus And the perfect Christmas entertainment for those looking for a comedy veiled in magic, without leaving out a pinch of (healthy) political incorrectness. Definitely a merit if you think of the numerous Christmas films that flood cinemas and streaming platforms with molasses during the holidays.
Remember the fraudulent (and hard drinking) Santa Claus played by Billy Bob Thornton in Bastard Father? Well, Giampaolo Morelli, with his irresistible scoundrel face, he follows that irreverent character a bit. However, without ever falling into the vulgarity of the “progenitor”.
Burglar by necessity with an entrepreneurial vocation, his Pasquale is a kind thief who lets himself be won over by little Antonio’s chubby cheeks and need for love.
Ilaria Spada in a scene from “Escape with Santa Claus”. (Netflix)
Although the plot is essentially a photocopy remake of the French filmthanks to a screenplay that never bores, the film It balances good feelings, fairy tale and comedy well. Focusing on issues such as the desire for fatherhood and extended family.
A comedy therefore that does not shine for originality but that – thanks to the Morelli unleasheda nice Ilaria Spada and the little (and very good) Enea Indraccolo – gives 90 minutes of honest, no-nonsense entertainment.
Ilaria Spada, from Miss Italy to the cinema
Too often mentioned as the “wife of” Kim Rossi Stuart – husband and father of her three children -, in recent years the Roman actress has finally known earn (with merit) a place of honor among the best and most versatile performers of our local comedies.
Kim Rossi Stuart and Ilaria Spada. (HANDLE)
After a first career phase which sees her participate as a dancer or presenter in TV Programs as Showgirls, Hi Darwin and it Gold Zecchinotowards the mid-2000s try the fiction card. Conquering prominent roles in Try it again professor! And Don Matteo.
Cinema arrives a few years laterthanks to titles like A fairytale wedding by Carlo Vanzina and the intense The last will be the last of 2015 alongside Paola Cortellesi.
In parallel with the career switch, in 2011 he met Kim Rossi Stuart at a dinner organized by their mutual friend Caterina Balivo. And after less than a year of relationship, his son Ettore is born. Just before giving birth second son Ianin 2019 the couple gets married and last year it also arrived little Lealast born (for now) of one of the golden and most solid couples of Italian cinema.
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