Lucybespro It is a performances centric movie

Odelecol Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

FrogGlace In other words,this film is a surreal ride.

Cassandra Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

MartinHafer I have never understood why Vittorio De Sica is not thought of as one of our greatest directors. I have heard and read gobs of praise for Hitchcock, Kurosawa, Bergman, Fellini, Godard and many others but have rarely noticed similar accolades for De Sica--yet he was responsible for many of the greatest films I have seen. Aside from his super-famous film, THE BICYCLE THIEF, few have seen or discussed his masterpieces such as MIRACLE IN MILAN, UMBERTO D. or THE CHILDREN ARE WATCHING US (my personal favorite)--yet these and many more of his films are among the greatest ever made. He was one of the directors responsible for creating a style of film ("Neo-realism") but here in the States, you'd never know this unless you are a crazed film fan (like myself). The trademark of these Neo-realist films are non-actors performing in very ordinary situations that usually are ignored in big-budget films. Despite what you may think, these films are definitely NOT dull and grab the viewer emotionally because he truly learn to love and care about the characters in the films. Generally, these small-budget films are super-true to life and the acting and writing are phenomenal.I made this little rant to set the stage for A BRIEF VACATION, as it is a late Neo-realistic film by De Sica. Once again, the characters are very simple Italian folk--the sort you'd almost never see featured in a film. In addition, the actors are not easily recognizable to the audience. As a result, you truly grow to care about the central character and root for her. But, also because it's a Neo-realistic film, the ending is true to the character instead of having a Hollywood-style ending where everything works out fine! The plot of the film involves a very over-worked and completely unappreciated working mother. She is the sole provider for a home with three small children, a lazy and obnoxious brother-in-law, a meddlesome mother-in-law and a temporarily disabled husband. When she has trouble keeping up at work, she goes to the local clinic and find out she has TB and needs to go on an extended rest--paid for by the state health care system. However, her selfish family insist she's fine and want her to stay on the job because they are just awful people who want her to stay and take care of their needs. Unfortunately, this nice lady is so nice, she has a hard time standing up for herself. But, when the problem is too much, she does finally go to the sanitarium despite their petty protests.At the sanitarium, her life changes. Instead of being so quiet and shy, she slowly comes out of her shell and makes many friends. She even attracts the attentions of a handsome younger man who desperately wants to marry her and take her away from her rotten home life. Seeing the lady blossom is amazing but true to the spirit of Neo-realism, the film ends on a less than fairy tale-like fashion but one very true to the characters.This is an excellent film with exceptional acting and direction. Some might find the subject matter a tad mundane, but believe me, it's worth some patience.

Mick (Sees All) This is not an adaptation of THE MAGIC MOUNTAIN. The only thing the two works have in common is that they both take place in a sanitarium. It's the story of a woman who has a horrible life of hard work and no appreciation. She takes ill and is sent by the government to a sanitarium where she thrives. Getting sick is the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to her. I found this film extremely moving. Florinda Bolkan gives a great performance of subtle realism. A BRIEF VACATION is a brilliant film, right up there with De Sica's best, and it came late in his career. He directed only one more film afterward. I saw this film a couple of times in the 70s. I still think about scenes from it.

jwelch666 Finally available on DVD. I had been wanting to share this movie with friends for more than 30 years. It has always been on my top 10 list of best movies ever seen.What I remember most are the subtle scenes which communicate so much, the woman wrapping her meat patty from her factory provided lunch in a napkin and slipping it into her purse in order to be able to give it to her son later on. Or after finally going to see a doctor, first making a last-minute detour into a department store to buy new underwear, too embarrassed that the doctor would see her in what she had on. Or at the very end, when the train passes by the billboard with the Mao graffiti on it (the most subtle of political comment). This is a splendid and brilliant movie, exposing the complexity of social circumstance without ever taking the easy way out, or suggesting there is ever an easy answer, in this case just a brief vacation.

aidas_g It seems to me that this movie was an adaptation of Thomas Mann " The Magic Mountain " but i see no credit. I just couldn't help but notice the strong comparisons between the book/movie however although i did prefer the book, the movie should be recommended....if you can find it!!.