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One of the cinema's favourite formulas for tears and uplift gets another go-around in Eugenio, the tale of a disabled man whose embrace of life brings hope to others. Luckily, this Italian drama isn't quite the syrup-fest it could have been, thanks to Giancarlo Giannini's restrained performance in the title role and a dose of grit. Even so, despite a number of emotive themes - abuse, guilt, facing the past - the film's dramatic punch is somewhat weak.

A major problem is that the movie is too short to give all its concerns proper breathing space. A sub-plot involving a woman carrying a baby who, like Eugenio, has Down's Syndrome, feels underdeveloped. Meanwhile, the main story strand - which centres on our hero, his long-lost childhood sweetheart (Giuliana De Sio) and her newly disabled daughter (Chiara De Bonis) - is hampered by intrusive flashbacks. Making matters worse is the lachrymose score slathered all over the drama.

"DOESN'T INVITE CHEAP PITY"

Yet there are several moments that impress, like the traumatic opening, which is all the more powerful for being heard but not seen. Later on there's a fearsome showdown between De Sio and her daughter's boyfriend that offers the raw emotion found lacking in other scenes. And while it's true that Giannini is often reduced to the role of catalyst, he brings an unshowy dignity to Eugenio that doesn't invite cheap pity. His story also comes with a refreshingly saucy punchline that goes against the grain of many worthier-than-thou disability flicks.