Light in the Piazza movie storyline. Upper class Americans Noel (Barry Sullivan) and Meg Johnson (Olivia de Havilland) have a twenty-six year old daughter named Clara Johnson (Yvette Mimieux). Clara suffered a head injury as a child which resulted in her being mentally disabled. Clara’s mental capacity is equivalent to that of a ten year old. In many social situations, Clara’s disability can be passed off as a simple joy of life.
The issue of Clara’s care has placed a strain between Noel and Meg, the latter who clings to the hope that one day Clara can lead a “normal” life. While on an extended vacation through Italy, Meg and Clara meet a twenty-three year old Italian named Fabrizio Naccarelli in Florence. Fabrizio is instantly smitten with Clara, who returns the affection.
Always protecting Clara, Meg initially resists Fabrizio’s constant measures to insinuate himself into their lives. But as Meg learns more about Fabrizio and meets his family, Meg begins to believe a marriage between Fabrizio and Clara is Clara’s chance for that normal life, all the while not telling the Naccarellis of Clara’s issue. This belief places a further strain between Meg and Noel, who still wants Clara placed in some sort of institution. Not having met the Naccarellis, Noel also believes they have ulterior motives in their actions. But what happens if the Nacarellis find out about Clara’s disability?
Light in the Piazza is a 1962 American romantic-drama film directed by Guy Green and starring Olivia de Havilland, Rossano Brazzi, Yvette Mimieux, George Hamilton, and Barry Sullivan. Based on the 1960 novel The Light in the Piazza by Elizabeth Spencer, the film is about a beautiful but mentally disabled young American woman traveling in Italy with her mother and the Italian man they meet during one leg of their trip.
Distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Light in the Piazza features extensive location shooting in 1960s Florence and Rome by the cinematographer Otto Heller. Filming started 7 May 1961. The film was shot on location in Rome and Florence with interiors at MGM-British Studios in Borehamwood, near London, England.
Light in the Piazza (1962)
Directed by: Guy Green
Starring: Olivia de Havilland, Rossano Brazzi, Yvette Mimieux, George Hamilton, Barry Sullivan, Isabel Dean, Moultrie Kelsall, Nancy Nevinson, Rosella Spinelli, Peppino De Martino
Screenplay by: Julius J. Epstein
Cinematography by: Otto Heller
Film Editing by: Frank Clarke
Makeup Department: Joan Johnsto, Tom Smith
Art Direction by: Frank White
Music by: Mario Nascimbene
MPAA Rating: None.
Distributed by: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release Date: February 7, 1962 (USA)
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