3.5/5

Review by Michele E. Hawkins.

Actress Anna Bettini (Margherita Buy), known professionally as Annabì, has a career-limiting fear of flying. To date, her agent, Mariolina (Anna Bonaiuto), has been able to keep her in work through clever manipulation of both Annabì and everyone else. Now, though, things have changed, and if Annabì wishes to move on from her drama series into film, something has to give. That becomes more imperative when Annabì’s daughter, Serena (Caterina De Angelis), announces she’s moving to America, having gained admission to a university there.

Annabì must decide whether she’ll stay safely on terra firma, losing work and rarely seeing her daughter, or conquer her fear of flying.

Despite a degree of inconsistency in the portrayal of the character of Annabì, Margherita Buy gives an excellent performance as the self-absorbed, neurotic, and catastrophising actress whose fear of flying is so profound that the mere thought of it panics her. She is ably supported by a stellar cast, including Caterina De Angelis as the daughter who has tired of her mother’s dramas; Anna Bonaiuto, as Annabì’s somewhat ruthless agent Mariolina; and members of the group that Annabì joins to overcome her phobia, played by such standouts as Giulia Michelini, Pietro Ragusa, Euridice Axen, Maurizio Donadoni, and Bruno Ricci.

Volare’s story is neither revelatory nor unpredictable in its overall arc; it’s the surprising moments throughout that make the film entertaining, along with the diversity of characters, all with their own struggles and triumphs along the way. A good film for those seeking light-hearted entertainment.

Screening at Palace cinemas.