Ithaca is one of those films that sneaks up on you. You start watching, thinking it’s just another period piece, but then it hits you in the feels. It’s set during WWII, and the story revolves around a young telegram messenger, Homer, who is exposed to the harsh realities of life as he delivers war news to the local families. Classic coming-of-age stuff, really. But there’s a tender rawness here that’s hard to shake off.
Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan (yes, Meg Ryan!), deliver solid performances. You gotta love that unfairly good rapport they have — it almost feels like stepping back into the ’90s, you know? And young Alex Neustaedter as Homer is convincing…if not a bit too clean-cut for a kid seeing so much sorrow.
There’s something special about the film’s cinematography. The warm, golden hues kinda remind me of those late summer nights in Skärgården. You can almost feel the soft evening light on your face. The sound design too, subtle but effective. There’s one scene where you can hear the old typewriter keys clacking away, and it just took me back to my grandfather’s old office, way back when.
Culturally, Ithaca feels like a love letter to simpler, yet turbulent times. It tackles the agony and bravery of folks on the home front during war— a theme that, believe it or not, hits a bit close to home. My morfar used to tell stories about waiting for letters from his brother who fought in the Finnish Winter War. Watching Ithaca, you can’t help but think of all the silent waiting and the devastating news that walked in through doors.
But, I can’t help feeling like it’s a bit too slow-paced. At times, I found myself wondering if they could have tightened some scenes. And maybe, just maybe, it tries too hard to be profound. There’s a fine line between touching and preachy, and Ithaca flirts with it dangerously.
If you’re someone who loves diving into the human experience, pain and resilience all meshed together, then Ithaca is worth your time.
And hey, have a cup of kaffe while you’re at it. Makes everything better, I swear.
