La passione

I loved this movie. OK I'm English, a classic car nut and I love Chris Rea's music anyway but I found this movie really resonated with me. I especially loved the vintage movie sequences featuring old racing Ferraris and the late 50's 'jet set' in their natural habitat. If you are of a certain age and European, I dare you to see this movie and not be moved by nostalgia for 'simpler times'.

This movie was obviously a personal labour of love for Chris Rea. It unashamedly has the feel of an art-house project rather than the boringly formulaic over-productions that the Hollywood megastudios excrete. I understand others who have had little exposure to anything else might misinterpret La Passione's difference in production values as a shortcoming, however I think they only serve to make the movie feel more personal and unique, which is all the better for it.

Shirley Bassey was a fantastic choice for her role in this movie. She looks and sounds as amazing as ever. She is evidently getting even better with age as only the truly great musicians and artists do.

My only disappointment is that this movie appears still to have never been released on DVD or Blu-Ray. I would love the opportunity to buy and watch La Passione again without the significant image and sound quality loss inherent with VHS.