Ureleased today in over 600 cinemas, My goodness is the new film by Ficarra and Picone (directed by Francesco Amato) which mixes comedy, fantasy and religion with originality and intelligence. A story that overturns stereotypes and reflects on important issues such as single parenthood and gender equality. And which – obviously -, even before going out, he already had sparked some (useless) controversy. In fact, there is at the center of the story a careless angel who swaps pregnancies: instead of to place the new Messiah in a new Madonna, puts him in a bigoted vice-principal.
My goodnessthe plot of the movie
The world needs a new Messiah. The Heavenly Assembly says it next an excited reunion in Heavenfollowing which, God (Giovanni Storti), undecided between a new universal flood or sending another Jesus to Earth, chooses for the Savior.
Aristide volunteers (Valentino Picone), a blond angel who usually deals with sorting the prayers of humans who reach Heaven. The cherub thus descends to Earth with a relatively simple task: impregnate a “new” Maria by simply touching her with your hand.
Instead, as soon as he hits the ground, Aristide ends up in a karaoke bar where he meets Nicola (Salvo Ficarra), the misogynistic and bigoted vice-principal of a Catholic school who doesn’t want to grant a divorce to Giovanna (Barbara Ronchi), a psychologist, so as not to make a bad impression in front of the mother superior of the institute.
After a few too many drinks, the angel-Aristide inadvertently touches Nicola’s belly and voilà: the man becomes pregnant. How to fix it? In the meantime a friendship develops between the twoin addition to the further damage that Aristide takes a crush on Sister Luisa (Maria Chiara Giannetta).
Giovanni Storti as God in “Santocielo”. (Photo by Mario Palermo)
Ficarra and Picone against all prejudices
Authors of polite but at the same time biting humor and attentive to social problems, Ficarra and Picone they return to addressing religious questions after the 15 million euro success of The first Christmas (2019). History of a thief and a priest from Palermo who they find themselves in Palestine in the year zeroa few days before the birth of Jesus.
With My goodnessthe Sicilian comic duo however raises the bar with a socially contemporary comedy. The themes touched upon oscillate between sacred and profane, embracing the gender equality, religious faith, the role of women and civil rights.
«This is a film against prejudice – explained the director and cast at the preview organized a few days ago in Catania. «After all, can love be regulated?», Ficarra asked rhetorically, «My goodness it is apparently a “provocative” but respectful comedy.”
Ficarra and Picone in a scene from “Santocielo”. (Photo by Mario Palermo)
Picone then added that «We have wanted to make a film about angels for a long time and the starting idea came to us in five minutes together with director Francesco Amato. A story that may seem sacrilegious? Only if you approach it with a closed mind. In fact, thanks to its light “provocation”, for us the film manages to raise important questions.”
Francesco Amato instead he underlined the many cinematic references that punctuate the plot. From the surreal and wild comedies of Billy Wilder – Ficarra and Picone like Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau in short – to the Jewish humor of directors like Mel Brooks and Woody Allen. «We had some important references their ability to talk about theology with great self-irony».
The cast of My goodness: Maria Chiara Giannetta and Barbara Ronchi
Like Ficarra and Picone, the female cast of Maria Chiara Giannetta And Barbara Ronchi – in diametrically opposed roles – contributes significantly equally fundamental to the success of the film.
Giannetta – exploded thanks to Rai fiction Blanca – plays Sister Luisa. Young and sunny choir teacher at Nicola’s school who welcomes Aristide as a helper, reciprocating, perhaps, the fascination that the blonde angel feels for her and asking himself a few questions (too many?) about his vocation.
Barbara Ronchi in a scene from “Santocielo”. (Photo by Mario Palermo)
Barbara Ronchi – appreciated dramatic actress for great authors such as Marco Bellocchio – she is the psychologist ex-wife of the misogynistic and unhappy Nicola. Which, given the unexpected pregnancy, seeks to together with her form the family they so desired. And that led to the breakup of their marriage.
The controversies and accusations of blasphemy
Given the theme of the arrival of a new Savior, it was inevitable that My goodness sparked controversy and controversies already from the trailer. Some so strong that they remember the attacks on Like a prayer of Madonna. It is the case of Don Mario Sorceparish priest of Agrigento, who has anathema against the film (without having seen it yet) on the Parish Facebook page. Post relaunched in the last few hours by various sites.
«A blasphemous film that offends our beliefs and our traditions.” thundered the priest, «In this last film it is clear that God is a fool, who Jesus incarnates again and more seriously than incarnates in the belly of a man. Last but not least, Paradise is perfect chaos. I can understand that people are looking for something new to make people laugh but this is too much.”
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