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Rating: "Piovuta Dal Cielo" is one of those classic potentially brilliant comedies from the late '90s and contemporaries; it contains all the elements to be a good story that can entertain and provoke some thought, but unfortunately, there's always something missing, and in the end, it leaves a bitter taste. So, the viewer engages in the classic game of what-ifs and buts, but if the direction had been different, if instead of Ben Affleck there were a real actor and not a one-expression sphinx, etc. Because the story that writer Lawrence tells us is not trivial and features many elements of comedy of chance and misunderstandings as protagonists, which, when combined, are always interesting.
Ben (Affleck) is a young literary critic in New York who gets by writing blurbs for book covers; he has to move from his city to Georgia to get married, but the journey soon turns into a disaster, and mostly he finds himself traveling with the exuberant and initially annoying Sarah (Sandra Bullock); amidst unexpected events of all kinds (like a ride offered by a drug dealer and a striptease in a gay bar), the two will have time to reflect on their own lives and feel a mutual attraction.
One of the themes addressed is a classic, the role of chance in life and how an unforeseen event can influence it, but here there is a lack of convincing exploration of this element, everything moves too quickly, and when Bullock and Affleck finally engage in a discussion, the film is almost over, and their reflection on marriage and managing one's existence trying not to always be too rational slips away, a pity. Another limitation is the director's inability to make the most of situations with potentially lively and pleasant comedic effect; the inexperience is noticeable, and it's a great regret because there are many points where the film promises but doesn't deliver, and then the final resolution is forced and annoying. The director's limitations are very apparent because Hughes has an actress, Bullock, who is capable, if directed well, of having a thrilling effect in the more humorous comedic parts, and if she were paired with an actor of much more depth, the result would probably have been different. An interesting observation on this point: Sandra Bullock is one of the symbolic actresses of the '90s cinema, but unlike other colleagues, she has had few opportunities to showcase her talent with slightly more important directors than those she has worked with. Her roles range from comedy to drama but rarely does she fully express her skill; films like "While You Were Sleeping" for a long time relegated her to the role of "America's Sweetheart" which now finally seems, with the latest trials ("The Lake House", "Infamous", "Crash"), to have moved away.
In the end, a too rushed light comedy; Bullock's lively energy is appreciated, Affleck has strong limitations, and compared to an actress with much more charisma, he completely disappears, making his character flat, and everything is then strongly negatively influenced by an anonymous direction.
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