The Invisible Thread
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The Invisible Thread
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that the Italian film The Invisible Thread tackles mature themes like gay rights, romantic love, the meaning of family, and teen drug consumption. There's also language (like "f--k," "s--t," "a--hole," "d--k," "d--khead," "whore," and more in the English subtitles) and some sexual scenarios (kissing, snuggling in bed, and two teens sleeping together). The main character has two dads and has been told all his life he was conceived through artificial insemination. He falls in love with a classmate whose brother has a crush on him; the brother then finds the courage to come out. Sexual language includes "jerking off," "blowjob," "c--k," and "balls." Teenagers drink and consume or talk about consuming drugs like "blow," Ecstasy, amphetamines, and marijuana. One boy falls from a great height after popping pills (he's fine).
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What's the Story?
In THE INVISIBLE THREAD, Leone (Francesco Gheghi) is a typical teenage boy in Rome, except he has two fathers, Paolo (Filippo Timi) and Simone (Francesco Scianna). He forms part of a caring family where his parents love him deeply, though they don't know who his biological father is. When Paolo discovers Simone has been cheating on him, all of their lives are thrown into disarray. The men conduct dueling DNA tests to find out who Leone's father is. Meanwhile, Leone is falling in love with a classmate, Anna (Giulia Maenza).
Is It Any Good?
This character-driven dramatic comedy remains wholly engaging from start to finish. The Invisible Thread does a great job balancing heavy themes (like gay rights, artificial insemination, extramarital affairs, and teen drug experimentation) with lighter moments. When Paolo and Simone go crazy and tear up each other's prized belongings, their pain is clear -- and difficult to watch -- but their actions are also quite humorous in their emotional fragility and cruel intentionality.
Another scene played for laughs but which conveys an important message is when a mother walks in on her son and his male friend coincidentally undressed together in a bathroom. The son takes advantage of her confusion to finally and proudly confess he is gay, leaving the male friend to explain he's actually there with the sister. The juxtaposition of teenage Leone's first love against the recriminations and dying relationship of his parents is subtle and symbolic. The graphics on a closing scene, which then carry through to the end credits, creatively illustrate the "invisible thread" that connects family.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the concept of The Invisible Thread, used in the film's title, and how it relates to family, biological or otherwise. What did you think of the way the idea was used in the end credits?
In what ways did the results of the DNA tests underscore the film's theme that family is who you make it? How would the film have been different with a different DNA test result?
What did you think of the portrayal of teen drug and alcohol use in this film? Did it feel realistic? What are the consequences of using drugs and alcohol?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: March 4, 2020
- Cast: Filippo Timi, Francesco Scianna, Francesco Gheghi
- Director: Marco Simon Puccioni
- Studio: Netflix
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Activism, Friendship, High School
- Run time: 109 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: May 13, 2022
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