A film recently added to Netflix has garnered an almost perfect score from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, but viewers should be prepared with tissues before watching it.
While the festive season often brings feel-good Christmas movies and comedies, there’s sometimes a desire for an emotional story, and Netflix is aware of this need.
The streaming giant has released a film adapted from a 2019 novel by Viola Ardone, which is rooted in true historical events.
The narrative is set in post-World War II Italy, exploring the lives of war survivors who were struggling to support their families after the devastation.
The film portrays a program initiated by Italy’s Communist Party, known as Treni della Felicità, or Happiness Trains. This initiative aimed to relocate children to northern Italy, where they could live with families in more affluent areas.
It follows a mother in Naples as she attempts to provide a better life for her son, Amerigo. As a last resort, she sends him on the Happiness Train, and the audience witnesses the impact of this decision on their lives.
Released on Netflix on October 20, the Italian-language movie is gaining recognition for its compelling plot.
Comments on the movie include one from a user in the LADbible’s Netflix Bangers Facebook group who said, “It’s a beautiful story I loved it.”
Another shared, “It moved me. I’m a mom and it made me cry,” while a third remarked, “It was a great watch. Very touching.”
Titled The Children’s Train, the film stars Christian Cervone as young Amerigo, alongside Barbara Ronchi, Serena Rossi, and Stefano Accorsi.
Though the characters are fictional, the storyline is inspired by the actual Happiness Trains that operated from 1945 to 1952, relocating around 70,000 children.
Despite not yet having a critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, The Children’s Train boasts an audience ‘Popcornmeter’ rating of 98 percent, signaling its favorability.
A reviewer on the site described it as a “Beautiful, heartfelt movie, without too much tension and plots. Well dubbed. I didn’t feel I miss something by not watching it with its original soundtrack. One of the few movies that I’ll watch again. Thank you cast and crew. I loved it.”
You can watch The Children’s Train now on Netflix.