In Sicily, breaking the Italian mafia's code of silence is pretty much the equivalent of committing suicide. But this didn't stop feisty 17-year-old Rita Atria, the daughter of a local Mafioso, from telling her story and providing the basis for "The Sicilian Girl."
After witnessing the murder of her brother and father — due to their underworld connections, of course — the young and passionately aggressive Rita (Veronica D'Agostino) cuts herself off from her family and uses her scandalous diary to outline assorted mafia activities for anti-mafia judge Paolo Borsellino. Rita wants revenge, even if it means working with her family's long-time enemy.
Rita's story is not as violent as it is melancholy, making "The Sicilian Girl" more of a meandering crime drama than a bloodbath. Similar in structure to this year's highly successful "Animal
Kingdom," "The Sicilian Girl" is a slow boil, as director Marco Amenta punctuates the story with gunshots and bloodshed. This is not "The Godfather."
The film's ending is sudden, but appropriate, given Rita's story and Amenta's connection to her life. This is his first feature, but the director explored Rita's life and brought her story to public
attention before in a 1997 documentary. As a result, we get a brief glimpse of the real Rita right before the credits roll, a tender moment before fading to black.
Veronica D'Agostino is perfect as the feisty Rita, combining just the right amount of rage and pathos. She makes it clear that this girl means business — Rita is not one to shriek or throw a hissy fit. And though D'Agostino is six years older than her 17-year-old character, she still looks the part. That's always nice.
In a roundabout attempt to avoid spoilers, I will say the "The Sicilian Girl" is reminiscent of a German film called "Sophie Scholl," in which a woman very much like Rita defies the Nazis. Both are quiet, personal and not-so-well-known stories that deserve your attention.
See "The Sicilian Girl" not only to satiate your crime drama fix, but also to witness the kind of heartfelt story you won't find in your typical crime drama.
