this could have be a breakout role for valeria golino but the film instead decide to shift it attention to another area . the film be about a woman name grazia ( golino ) who be marry to a fisherman and the mother of three . she be a free spirit and prone to outburst so the rest of the village and her family decide she should be send to milan and see a doctor . the story take place on the island of lampedusa off of sicily and it show the everyday life there with the teenage boys in rival gang and just try to find something to do on the sun bake rock . grazia old son pasquale ( francesco casisa ) adore her and be always try to protect her during her bout of depression . the daughter marinella ( veronica dagostino ) be a blossoming young girl who become infatuate with a local policeman and the young son filippo ( filippo pucillo ) be very sassy and mock the policeman accent . upon learn that she be to be send to milan and grazia run away and pasquale help her by hide her in a cave while everyone search for her . this film could have really make more of an impact if it could have concentrate it focus to grazia . we do see some outburst and irrational behavior on her part but their be no follow up to these scene . nothing come of it . the film look great and be beautifully photograph so give director emanuele crialese credit for that but the story need to focus on something more substantial . the film do a good job of show u what life be like on this island and what be go on in the life of the three child a they grow up . their be some speculation that golino character give a hint of be a mermaid like creature and that be why she be have difficulty exist on land . i also sense that the island itself expect it inhabitant to behave in a certain manner and if you do not then you can be subject to the harsh reality of it rule . all speculation but i do think the film attention could have stay with the character of grazia . after she hide in the cave she really have nothing to do . in a sense and the character become stagnant . i wish golino have more to do because i have always like her and whenever she be onscreen you just can not take your eye off her . she a bundle of fury and passion and raw energy . what a shame crialese do not write a more complete role for her to act in . when the film end your left feeling empty from an incomplete story .