Chris Pine Speaks Fluent Italian in Quirky Road Movie 'The Kidnapping of Arabella'

Chris Pine speaks fluent Italian in a surprising turn in the new film The Kidnapping of Arabella, according to a review by IndieWire. The actor stars in writer-director Carolina Cavalli's eccentric road trip misadventure, which is now playing in theaters.

Pine plays Oreste D., the self-absorbed author father of a seven-year-old girl named Arabella. The review notes his character seethes with jealousy in seemingly perfect Italian, an unexpected detail that sets the tone for the film's playful and contrived nature.

What is 'The Kidnapping of Arabella' about?

The story follows Holly, a disillusioned woman working at a rundown ice rink, who encounters Arabella. Convinced the child is a younger version of herself sent back for a second chance, Holly decides to kidnap her. The two then embark on an unconventional road trip across Italy.

“This can be our opportunity to become someone special,” Holly says to Arabella, selling her on the idea of running away together. The film explores their odd-couple dynamic as they crash weddings, stay in motels under fake names, and shack up with a deaf goat.

How does the film balance its tone?

IndieWire describes the movie's tone as dry and its humor as deadpan, comparing it to films like Napoleon Dynamite. It notes the premise requires a significant suspension of disbelief to avoid curdling into something darker. The performances by Benedetta Porcaroli as Holly and Lucrezia Guglielmino as Arabella are described as spiky and wonderful, providing the heart that grounds the whimsical plot.

The review concludes that the film finds a certain peace in its knotted narrative. “Too many things don’t add up in this story,” Holly says, a sentiment the review suggests is part of the film's charm.

The Kidnapping of Arabella is Carolina Cavalli's follow-up to her debut Amanda and has a runtime of 107 minutes.