Light In The Piazza (1962)

While vacationing in Florence, Italy with her daughter (Yvette Mimieux), an American woman (Olivia De Havilland) attempts to foil a growing romance between the girl and a young Italian (George Hamilton). Because of an accident when she was a child, the 26 year old girl has the mentality of a 10 year old. Based on the novel by Elizabeth Spencer and directed by Guy Green (A PATCH OF BLUE). Green's sensitive direction manages to keep the film from turning mawkish and keeps the film on an honest path. Perhaps it's not entirely devoid of sentiment but it's of the honest kind rather than the manipulative. The film is finely acted by all (including Hamilton who sports a decent Italian accent) and the lovely Mimieux doesn't overdo the backwardness of her character but the real star of the film is Florence which is lovingly photographed in CinemaScope by Otto Heller (PEEPING TOM). The melodic score is by Mario Nascimbene. With Rossano Brazzi and Barry Sullivan.