anonimo veneziano / anonimo veneciano (Dvd) Italian Import

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A dying man encounter in a dying city with the woman he loves. Could it be something more romantic and sadder? Both actors are great. The astonishingly beautiful scenery, the most romantic music, the live drama are just perfect. Its European cinema at its best. No need for special effects or expensive sets. The city itself provides everything needed. It's like a short story by Chekhov comprising a universe of feelings and drama in a moment's brief revelation of the worst problems and complexities of human existence. Although it was the 3rd book, Dressed for Death was filmed as the 2nd episode "Venezianische Scharade" (Venetian Charade) (2000) of the German language TV series (2000-2019) based on the Donna Leon / Commissario Brunetti series. I was unable to locate a trailer or a copy of the episode.

The narration by David Colacci in the audiobook edition was fine. Colacci is the regular English language narrator for the series, except for The Golden Egg #22 which is narrated by David Rintoul. 17 of the current 30 books are available for free on Audible Plus. What follows is less a review than a series of anecdotes and digressions (rather like Tristram Shandy). When his gender is discovered, the assumption becomes that he is a transvestite prostitute and the investigation of the death at first proceeds on that theory. But you know what they say about assuming things... Enrico, a Venetian musician and composer, is seen, as the story begins, awaiting for Valeria, his estranged wife at the railway station. He buys red roses to greet her with, but thinks twice about them and throws them away before her train arrives. When they meet, Valeria asks him why has he summoned her to Venice, a city where they met, were happy, got married, had a son, and was the scene of their acrimonious split. He advises her that in due time he will tell her.I find the Brunetti family really interesting and fascinating. Their interaction is beautifully done and I particularly enjoy the chemistry between Guido and Paola….

I really like the characters of Brunetti and his family. This is the third book in the series and the third one I have read and I find my affection for the characters growing with each installment. As this book opens, Brunetti is looking forward to escaping the steamy summer of Venice with his family; his plans are put on hold when the body of a badly beaten man is discovered in an industrial wasteland, frequented by prostitutes and their clients.The parallel between dying Enrico and the town itself sinking and turning into silt has always been used , but here it's done in a tasteful way ;for a man without a future, who is afraid of dying in his sleep , clinging to memories is the only thing left to him ; the future is only this child , he won't see growing up, but who maybe will play his records (hence the gift ).

As the investigation proceeds, the body count mounts and Brunetti must once again wrestle with the corrupt bureaucracy of Italy where powerful people are able to buy the police and ensure the outcomes that they desire from government offices. Hmm...that does hit a bit too close to home. After she learns of his disease, she decides to delay her departure and leave town on the 9:30 p.m. express instead of the 6:15 local. That is hardly a universe-shattering emotional decision, but it will have to do. The movie is dubbed so badly into English that only the broadest melodramatic strokes survive the dialog. At one point, the man's entire response to the woman's outpouring of regret is, "Edifying!"

Brunetti’s investigation uncovers a world of corruption, where powerful men are using male prostitutes as decoys in the scam involving illegal property rentals in Venice.