80
The New York Times by A.O. Scott
While Passione praises the spirit of its subjects, it also attends to the discipline and tenacity that makes them worth noticing.
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What are people saying?
What are critics saying?
63
Slant Magazine by Andrew Schenker
Expressionistic rather than analytical, Passione, John Turturro's cinematic ode to the music of Naples, Italy, unfolds as a compendium of tuneful performances bracketed with the barest of contextualization.
75
Subtitled "a musical adventure," the actor-director's love letter to some 800 years of Neapolitan expression probes its subject with a wide romantic outlook.
60
New York Daily News by Joe Neumaier
It can sometimes be hard to sit through, but another song is coming soon, and anyway, close your eyes and imagine you're on vacation, sipping vino in a piazza, soaking in the street life.
80
If you're even slightly interested in folk music, there will be something here to simmer that curiosity into a full-on boil: the Arabic trip-hop stylings of monomonikered rapper-singer Raiz, raspy Pietra Montecorvino's Stevie Nicks–like dance tunes, a gorgeous sax solo from local jazz legend James Senese.
90
Los Angeles Times by Kevin Thomas
A beautifully structured and photographed film, John Turturro's rapturous Passione offers a vibrant exploration and celebration of Neapolitan music in all its grit and glory, presenting 23 musical numbers that encompass a millennium's worth of influences.
50
Village Voice by Melissa Anderson
Works best when its director tamps down his impulse to enhance the performances with florid narratives, focusing on just the singer and the song.
58
As an actor, Turturro brings wit and a healthy sense of absurdity to many of his roles, but his directorial efforts are notably lacking in self-awareness or restraint.
67
Portland Oregonian by Shawn Levy
In some regards, watching Passione is like being cornered by actor John Turturro and forced to watch a slide show of his trip to Italy.
75
The music is vibrant and the presentation is appealing.