Synopsis
The Tearsmith (in Italian: Fabbricantedi Lacrime), will be releasing in 2024 and it is an Italian teen romance drama that is a hit novel by Erin Doom. The film, directed by Alessandro Genovesi, tells the story of two emotionally troubled teenegers, Nica Dover and Rigel Wilde, and how their past trauma and once-in-a-lifetime shared pain constructs an emotionally complex relationship between them.
Nica and Rigel were raised in a devastating orphanage called Sunnycreek, which held the nickname “The Grave.” Sunnycreek was an orphanage that was awful by just about any reasonable standard. The head of the place was a harsh, cold, and emotionally cruel woman named Margaret Stoker. She emotionally neglected both children for multiple years. Nica, who was quiet and withdrawn, happened to be the most favoured by Edith. Margaret’s cruelty was directed at both children, although Rigel was better treated, which which creates electric tension between the children that fuels Rigel and Nica’s relationship.
When these two were seventeen, they were “adopted” by a couple that was emotionally shattered and grieving the loss of their own son. Although they were technically adopted as siblings, Nica and Rigel’s adjustment to the new family and home was tricky and the expectations from them were overwhelming. While struggling to adapt to the familial dynamics, Rigel, who is in a distinctively more volatile emotional state, Nica, tries desperately to be at peace and to fit in a school that is new to her.
Nica starts making friends as she begins her freshman year in high school, but Rigel continues to embrace antisocial behavior. Rigel’s and Nica’s conflicting traits become more pronounced when he rescues her from a classmate’s violent attack. This moment sparks the slow-burning emotional bond and eventual romance, but the relationship struggles with many challenges, including:
- Their traumatic history.
- Rigel’s enigmatic health issue.
- The constant shadow of Margaret.
Everything comes to a head when Nica and Rigel are the targets of a planned vehicular attack, putting Rigel in a coma. Nica confronts Margaret, and in a moment of courage, testifies against her. The story picks back up with Rigel waking up, and in a final flash-forward, the healed couple is shown with their daughter, representing the healing and hope the couple has after the years of pain.
Cast & Characters
Caterina Ferioli as Nica Dover – Ferioli plays Nica Dover, a teen and soft-spoken and sensitive. Nica has a history of trauma after spending years in an abusive orphanage. Ferioli’s portrayal of Nica’s vulnerability and strength is masterful, marking her breakthrough.
Simone Baldasseroni (Biondo) as Rigel Wilde – A creeping, shadowy figure approaches at the edge of the forest, completely alone, and quietly ignores the other boys his age, glaring at anything or anyone that attempts to come close to him. Rigel is tormented by a mysterious illness coupled by adverse trauma, yet in his bond with Nica, learns to love and feel compassion.
Sabrina Paravicini as Margaret Stoker – Headmistress of the Sunnycreek orphanage, Margaret, the cold and scheming manipulator Stoker, forms one of the main archetypes of emotional control and trauma that permeates the story.
Orlando Cinque and Roberta Rovelli as Norman and Anna Milligan – The Milligan couple is portrayed as the cruel adoptive parents of forest rogues who bring Nica and Rigel into their home, not knowing the enormity of the emotional trauma the teenagers bear.
Eco Andriolo as Adeline – Nica’s closest friend at the orphanage who shares glimpses about Nica’s life when she was younger.
Nicky Passarella as Billie and Sveva Romana as Miki – Classmates of Nica in high school that add brightness to her life.
Alessandro Bedetti as Lionel – A fellow student who is a rival to most of the boys in class who is completely incensed and jealous, losing his mind in aggressive jealousy that nearly yields life-threatening consequences shall we say.
Themes and Symbolism
Trauma and Recovery
Identity is one of the elements that is largely affected by trauma. Both Nica and Rigel showcase how one is affected by trauma. Rigel uses avoidance strategies while Nica uses connection seeking coping mechanisms. The film demonstrates the paradox of love as a trigger and a healer.
The Myth of the Tearsmith
The Tearsmith is a fictional character that supposedly created pain for a person, which is defined by the story told at the orphanage. This allegory depicts the film’s symbolism of destiny, trauma, and self transformation. For Nica and Rigel, the Tearsmith becomes a symbol of their agony and the eventual ability to overpower the pain.
Fairy Tale Aesthetics
The film also dips into folk tales, featuring elements like black roses, wolves, cold mansions, and fatalistic love stories. Although it is a blend of trauma and romance, it also comes out as dreamlike. While the blend does create emotional discrepancy, it does also create stylistic beauty.
Cinematography and Direction
Alessandro Genovesi crafts silence as a visual language offset by a muted color palette and imagery that lingers, both haunting and resonant, with the characters’ emotions. for instance, the scenes in the orphanage are cold and bitter while the connection scenes between Nica and Rigel are warm and vivid.
Emphasis in the film draws wealth from silence and shared glances, creating a slow yet intimate and deliberate pace. While some might find the slow pace unbearable, it greatly emphasizes the characters’ internal struggles.
Reception and Criticism
Critical Response
The Tearsmith as a film, generally, received mixed and negative reviews. Critics praised the performances, most notably the chemistry between the two leads, and the visual style. However, the screenplay was overwhelmingly criticized for being very predictable and melodramatic in nature. Many considered the script to be overly dependent on tropes common in young adult fiction, most notably, a “brooding boy meets broken girl” and “forbidden love behind closed doors.”
One significant critique involves the handling and depiction of the adoptive sibling dynamic. While the film tries to approach it with care, some viewers thought that the romance was far too simplistic and lacked the necessary ethical depth given the sensitivity of the subject.
Reaction From the Audience
The film did much better with younger viewers and readers of the novel. It became one of the most viewed non-English movies on Netflix during its first week. Viewers loved the emotional depth of the story along with the romance, especially those who knew the book’s storyline and tone.
Some people in the audience remarked the book did a much better job of character development, and because of that, the story felt much more drawn out in the film. A number of book characters, such as Asia who has a more prominent role in the film, were reduced or removed completely from the movie version.
Final Thoughts
The Tearsmith is a film that wears its heart on its sleeve. It is visually poetic and emotionally charged, driven by profound themes of love, pain, and healing. Though it does has its share of issues—most notably with pacing and the depth of the characters, cliché often found in the genre—it is quite the experience, especially for those who enjoy dark romantic tales.
Strengths:
Powerful performances from the main cast
Striking cinematography
Compelling depiction of the emotional aftermath of abuse
Weaknesses:
Cliché plot elements
Lack of development of supporting characters
In the central romance, there is some vague moral conflict
The Tearsmith is for fans of romantic melodramas, fairy-tale motifs, and the Italian film industry. Although the film is not universally praised, it has found a dedicated audience and is one of Netflix’s more prominent European releases of 2024.
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