After drawing controversy for the embellished, modern day-set Sound of Freedom, director Alejandro Monteverde and writer Rod Barr pivoted to the past to tell the story of Cabrini. It’s a straightforward biopic. It seemed like a safer story to tell, with the protagonist being a literal Catholic saint, who also happened to have an undisputed historical record of uplifting deeds. Francesca Cabrini is the sort of main character whose story writes itself. That being said, choosing to tell her particular story of helping immigrant orphans through her women-led order is an interesting choice at a time when immigration has become a point of contention. While rough in some scenes, Cabrini’s story proves to hold relevance in modern day America.
Synopsis
Italian immigrant Francesca Cabrini arrives in 1889 New York City and is greeted by disease, crime, and impoverished children. Cabrini sets off on a daring mission to convince the hostile mayor to secure housing and healthcare for society's most vulnerable. With broken English and poor health, Cabrini uses her entrepreneurial mind to build an empire of hope unlike anything the world had ever seen.
Storyline
New York City, 1889. Despite her tuberculosis, Italian nun Francesca Cabrini works to secure housing and healthcare for orphans all over the world, starting with Five Points in New York.
TLDR
If nothing else, watch it for Cristiana Dell’Anna.
What stands out
It’s nice to see some thought in the way the film approached Cabrini as a character. They casted Italian actress Cristiana Dell’Anna, and didn’t shy away from depicting the Italian language.
