You are here:

Good But Not Great

Name: Good But Not Great
Director: Francesco Mandelli
Released: 2019
Duration: 89 min

Representation Score

5.1/10

Fair

2019

Director

Francesco Mandelli

Runtime

89 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Bene ma non benissimo is a character-driven comedy that delves into the nuances of internal Italian cultural shifts and adolescent resilience. By focusing on a Sicilian family's move to Turin, the film offers a detailed exploration of regional identity and the challenges of being an outsider. The film successfully challenges traditional gender roles by giving Candida significant emotional ability to act, allowing her to drive the narrative's progression. However, it stays within conventional storytelling boundaries and does not engage deeply with broader systemic critiques or diverse identity politics.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Good But Not Great have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film centers on typical teenage social interactions without addressing queer themes or non-straight relationships.

How does Good But Not Great portray gender?

Fair

Candida is portrayed as an emotionally strong leader who drives the story forward, challenging traditional gender roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Good But Not Great?

Good

The film examines the migration of Sicilians to Turin, highlighting the integration of Southern Italians into a Northern city.

How does Good But Not Great represent religion and culture?

Fair

It touches on economic struggles and family breakdowns, focusing more on coming-of-age sentimentality than institutional critique.

Does Good But Not Great include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no clear depiction of physical disabilities or neurodivergence. Jacopo's isolation is more social than medically defined.

Present on Screen

Explores nuanced regional identities through the lens of internal Italian migration.
Provides emotional leadership by positioning Candida as the story's main driver.
Offers a relatable look at social integration and adolescent resilience.

Limited or Absent

Lacks engagement with non-white or post-colonial racial dynamics.
Does not explore queer identities or non-straight relationships.
Misses opportunities to critique broader capitalist or social institutions.

Official Synopsis

Candida is a fifteen year old from Sicily, who lives with her father Salvo. When he loses his job, they leave for Turin. Candida has to integrate in a new school where she is bullied, as does her partner Jacopo. But thanks to her positivity, it will be Candida who will let Jacopo out of his isolation, making him discover that everything is good, even when it is not great.

How are these scores produced? →