Different from Whom? (Italy)

Different from Whom? was one of the two "light" movies from the New Italian Cinema series, both of which I enjoyed in different ways.  Not altogether unpredictable I still enjoyed the bright photography, good chemistry and easy humor.  The presence of no mafia figures nor deaths was another plus.

Piero is a councilman in Italy who at the start is primarily focused on gay and lesbian issues.  He's a sharp dresser, articulate and seems to have an extended loving group of family and friends.  His partner is concerned that he's a bit of a playboy, but other than that he seems to have a solid if unexceptional political life.  Due to some wacky local (and possibly uniquely Italian) politics he ends up his parties surprise candidate for Mayor.  The establishment who goofed up to put him in that spot are chagrined and also extremely concerned he'll be crushed by the incumbent candidate.  The current mayor is the focus of a current joke about how his main strategy is an anti-crime wall.  It's clearly ineffectual but serves as a great prop for press conferences - building the wall, painting the wall, re-dedicating the wall, etc.

In an attempt to broaden Piero's appeal the party pairs him with a more family oriented candidate.  Who of course ironically has no family and trouble with relationships.  The pair start off frosty but after some compromises and a shared love of shopping (I said it was amusing, not stereotype free) they hit it off.  Their improved tolerance for each other and a series of events grossly misinterpreted by the press send their candidacy soaring.  But the strange bedfellow's closeness threaten both Piero's relationship and everyone's world views.

I think if you go in looking for light romantic comedy/farce that features adults vs. teenagers you're likely to enjoy.  There's a very colorful and bright style of photography used that's a good match for the subject matter.  This won't be winning an Oscar anytime soon, but I think you could do worse seeing this film given an opportunity.  I laughed, didn't think excessively and liked the fact that the ending was slightly different than what you might think reading the description.