"The Best Day of My Life", is a story about family and the things they keep from each other, believing it to be in the best interests of all concerned. These lies are considered to be necessary, and as such each member is under the illusion that by hiding their individual truths, they achieve a greater good. One sister cannot trust a soul, and her paranoid attitude causes great harm in the life of her teenage son. Her sister is in the midst of affair, yet desperate to hold onto the marriage, or more accurately her need for such marriage. Then there is Carlo their brother, who is in love with Luca and whilst his sexuality is known to his siblings, it is their mother which is in denial.
This dysfunctional reality is observed by the youngest member of the family Chiaria, who is preparing for her communion and in all innocence prays for the 'truth' to be reveled to all, although she is completely unaware of what that truth is all about. Within a short period of time, those truths start to be revealed causing all that which has been hidden for years to be gradually exposed in the most unusual ways. Chiaria is exasperated as her own family unit begins to disintegrate under the strain of an affair, and she calls out to G-d to cancel her prayer and return things to the way they were.
This is a profoundly moving tale of a family harmed by lies, and whilst they love each other dearly, they cannot accept the truth that they are all flawed. Chiara's prayer is indeed beneficial, as the truth has the effect of setting them free, albeit in ways that they have spent years trying to avoid. Whilst Chiara may not understand the words of her priest when he says the truth is a two edged sword, that reality is made manifest in the lives of Carlo, Irene, Sara, and Rita as all becomes known.
What I loved about this movie was not so much the lies and their exposure, but rather the reasons people tell lies. Families like society in general often live a facade, choosing not to see those things which challenge or diminish the veneer of perfection. After all it is far more important to live the illusion demanded by society, that all is functional and well within family. Whereas in truth our parents are flawed as are we, and their own failures, imperfections and ignorance sows a profound inheritance in the lives of their children. These young men and women, learn to repeat those failings, only to sow them in the lives of their children. The cycle perpetuates, until one amongst them breaks free. Once that chain is broken, all the players begin to experience exposure. For a life built on lies is one with no real foundation.
In the end, one asks whether we will ever learn from the message of such stories. Or will we continue to play games with our families, siblings and loved ones, preferring them to see the illusion of who we are?
Beautiful story, well written and with exceptional acting.
