In Edoardo De Angelis’s films, family is a bond forged in the struggle for survival. In his acclaimed Indivisible, a father exploits his daughters’ talent, while The Vice of Hope tells the story of an infertile woman caught up in an illegal surrogacy business. This time, a son building a family in Milan is driven to distraction by his boisterous mother visiting from Naples. His family is equally exasperated, and judging by her behavior, it’s easy to see why most people would find her a handful. And so begins ‘a nightmare on Christmas Eve.’ Meanwhile, the camera dances, the music cheers on the domestic battles, and a rooster destined for the dinner table wanders about unconcerned. Sometimes, it’s sad to say, a family squabble is simply great entertainment for onlookers. The clash of rapid-fire dialogue leaves you breathless, yet somehow builds into genuine drama - that’s Italian comedy at its best. Nothing can sever the bond between a mother and son who both carry fire within. (LEE Yong Cheol)