Among those entrapped is the happy-go-lucky Lazzaro himself,a guileless youth played by non-professional Adriano Tardiolo,who,prior to his casting,had reportedly planned on becoming an accountant or bookkeeper. Though he is unable to identify his parents,he is firmly integrated into the community,which he serves as mascot and dogsbody,following all orders and greeting all circumstances with the same attitude of cheerful acceptance.
Not the kind movie that comes along every day – a genuine continuation of the poetic tradition in Italian cinema.
Shot on film rather than digitally and using mostly natural light,Happy as Lazzaro,in its early scenes especially,has a vitality that feels more than fictional. Often the action appears to spill outside the frame,or details get lost in shadow:we are not expected to grasp every detail of what is happening,or keep track of the dozens of characters who come into view.