| Director | Alessandro Genovesi |
| Writers | Eleonora Fiorini, Alessandro Genovesi |
| Based On | The Tearsmith by Erin Doom |
| Cast | Caterina Ferioli, Simone Baldasseroni |
| Runtime | 105 minutes |
| Genre | Romance |
| Native Title | Fabbricante di lacrime |
– No Spoilers –
Nica’s only dream is to get adopted after a fatal car accident leaves her an orphan – to be part of a family again. But when the Milligans adopt her, she is distressed to learn that Rigel, a fellow orphan with a mysterious personality, is also getting adopted with her. Although she tries to steer clear of him, neither of them can ignore the crackling chemistry between them.
There is something about stupid YA romance movies that really enchant us – combining fantasy with that just makes it even more enticing. It’s a guilty pleasure like no other and The Tearsmith, drenched in mysterious music and a grungy boy full of angst who only talks in with a heavy, growl-like low voice, is just a recipe for disaster for anyone who needs something light to lift up your mood.
See, I am all in for shows of this genre; as mentioned previously, it’s a guilty pleasure like no other and the movie hypes itself up perfectly with the odd romance between Nica and Rigel, the sweet adoptive parents who don’t have a clue about anything and the silly friends who are just… there. It’s a tale as old as time and if, like me, you’re also a silent lover of movies of the genre, this one’s going to be a cliched and fun watch that will be perfect for the night.
The storyline, as mentioned previously, is as cliched as it gets. A secret romance brewing in the background, the mystery of the tearsmith – it’s all things we have already seen many times before. The movie doesn’t work if you want something unique but it’s the perfect campy romance for those who have missed watching Twilight or the likes. It’s great fun with a touch of nostalgia but nothing worth remembering or rewatching. Even the characters will remind you of Twilight and the hundred other movies that have popped up since then. Rigel is a lot like Edward Cullen and Anna reminds us of Bella with her awkward energy and confused attraction towards Rigel.
It also doesn’t help that the movie runs forward a mile a minute and things just random keep on happening without rhyme or reason. It’s just one huge thing after another. And you know that these things are happening because the plot needs something to happen – otherwise, there’s not much of a story to tell. It honestly made me nostalgic. Plus, there are a ton of random characters who suddenly pop up everywhere to pad the runtime – it makes you laugh and it makes you cry! Even Ms Margaret, the head of the orphanage hilariously named Grave, is akin to a Disney villain. Nothing in this movie is realistic, but then again, that’s not what we expected either.
Caterina Ferioli and Simone Baldasseroni, as Anna and Rigel, have okay chemistry although neither are that great at portraying their roles effectively. Both of them are rather awkward with their own characters and with each other as well. And, in the end, The Tearsmith gives us a rushed ending that comes out of nowhere and goes nowhere as well – much like the movies that we have come to love as well as hate.
The Tearsmith Review: Final Thoughts
This is that movie that feels like a car crash that you simply can’t look away from. You love it and you hate it but once you start it you can’t stop it. It’s a film that doesn’t try to be anything above what we have come to love and hate about YA romance. It’s great for a one-time watch if you’re a curious soul who needs a blast from the past. But other than that, there is very little merit in anything this movie has to say.
The Tearsmith is streaming on Netflix.
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