I found this move, seen on Turner Classic Movies, to be a very touching love story. I particularly liked the Olivia deHavilland as Meg Johnson, the mother of a beautiful young woman, named Clara with a slight mental impairment, played by Yvette Mimieux. On a trip to Italy with her mother, Clara is eyed by the young men she passes in the piazzas of Florence and Rome. Before long, she is pursued by Fabrizio Naccareli, a young Florentine, played by George Hamilton, who seems to have fallen in love with her at first sight. He is very enthusiastic and playful, a love match for Clara. At the same time, Fabrizio's father, Rosanno Brazzi, who is married, strikes up a friendship with Meg. It was apparent that while she wants the best for her daughter, Meg treats her disability as a social stigma. This seems to be in contrast with Fabrizio's Italian family, who have a more natural approach to Fabrizio, who is also somewhat immature, while totally charming. Some of the movie is very dated; for example, the way Olivia deHavilland lights a cigarette every time she encounters a moment of stress. The smoking theme becomes more pronounced with people offering each other cigarettes, not to mention Clara's father's high paying job in the tobacco industry. There is a bit of a running joke linking the Johnsons with actor Van Johnson, whose name is less familiar to a 21st century audience than it was in 1962. However, these telltale signs that date the movie also seem to be part of its appeal. In other respects, the movie is ahead of its time and seems to tell viewers to allow love to flower and grow. Meg found a change of heart on the trip. While reluctant to let go of her free-spirited daughter, she couldn't deny the love that Fabrizio and Clara shared. The movie throws a few twists in how the story plays out. As always, it is a credit that TCM brings movies out of the dusty corners of the past. They tell us something about the time while giving us unexpected entertainment.

While vacationing in beautiful Italy, Olivia de Havilland (as Meg Johnson) watches lovely daughter Yvette Mimieux (as Clara) and handsome Italian George Hamilton (as Fabrizio Naccarelli) fall hopelessly in love. Although the two seem perfect for each other, Ms. Mimieux suffers from a secret disability. Aching for her daughter to lead a normal life, Ms. de Havilland is unable to tell Mr. Hamilton or father Rossano Brazzi about Mimieux' condition. Father of the potential bride Barry Sullivan (as Noel Johnson) is against the wedding...You've got to stop wondering why nobody but her parents seem to notice or care about Mimieux' delicate condition, especially Hamilton; and, moreover, since it's not a problem, how it could matter. Director Guy Green and cinematographer Otto Heller give "Light in the Piazza" some beautiful scenery. Hamilton and Mimieux are an incredibly good-looking couple. And, de Havilland is marvelous to watch, filling her conflicted wife and mother character with enough to have warranted some "Best Actress" consideration.******* Light in the Piazza (2/7/62) Guy Green ~ Olivia de Havilland, Yvette Mimieux, George Hamilton, Rossano Brazzi

Aware that this movie has been adapted into a successful Broadway musical I watched it - when I got the chance to do so on DVD - looking for possible 'spots' for songs. I know absolutely nothing about the musical other than it is successful which I find hard to believe having seen a previous show by Adam Guettl which was notable for its complete lack of melody/tunefulness notwithstanding that he is the grandson of Richard Rodgers. Having now watched the movie it is possible to identify elements that lend themselves to musicalization not least the location, primarily Florence with a brief side trip to Rome. For love interest there are two young people a naive American girl, who is actually retarded, of 26 and an equally naive Italian boy of 23. For conflict there is the absent husband (Barry Sullivan), hastily summoned to Rome by wife (Olivia de Havilland) when it becomes crystal clear that the two youngsters are serious. Pop is adamant that daughter must never be allowed to marry and thinks mom is crazy to even entertain such an idea. Then there is the boy's father (Rossano Brazzi) and his attraction to DeHavilland and that's just for openers. With all this going for it I can see where it might easily make a Broadway musical but what about the film? Glad you asked. It's pleasant enough and the two youngsters, Yvette Mimeux and George Hamilton convince as do the adults. It's true that Barry Sullivan is wasted in his few scenes that anyone on the Lot could have played but having said that he does add a certain gravitas. No world-beater but a pleasant enough diversion.

Oliva De Havilland, (Meg Johnson), "Airport 77", plays a mother from the East Coast who has a daughter, Yvette Mimieux,(Clara Johnson) "The Black Hole", who was hit by a horse when she was very young and it seemed to effect her growth as a woman. Mother and Daughter take a trip to Italy and meet up with a charming young man named Fabrizio Naccarelli,(George Hamilton),"Off Key", and Clara & Fabrizio get to like each other very much. Rossano Brazzi, (Signor Naccarelli), "Fear City",' is the father to Fabrizio and becomes interested in Meg Johnson, whose husband is played by Barry Sullivan who is very seldom seen in this film. There are plenty of laughs and some light drama to go along with a very Light Headed Film.