Review: fun and funny in the middle , 
Sentiment: positive

Review: the emperor 's club , ruthless in its own placid way , 
Sentiment: negative

Review: ultimately the story compels 
Sentiment: positive

Review: one feels the dimming of a certain ambition , but in its place a sweetness , clarity and emotional openness that recalls the classics of early italian neorealism . 
Sentiment: positive


Review: large budget notwithstanding , the movie is such a blip on the year 's radar screen that it 's tempting just to go with it for the ride .