A Garibaldian in the Convent: Vittorio De Sica’s war-time love story tale is told with a very light touch, and it’s delightful and farcical. The story follows two young women, rivals at first, who study in an Italian convent and get involved in the Risorgimento. The two protagonists are well-played by Carla Del Poggio (as the younger, animal-lover, and mischievous girl from the rich Borghesia) and María Mercader (as the romantic older girl from a broken nobility family), both smart and lovely. The supporting cast, particularly the ones with characters that veer towards the comedic side of things, is very effective and entertaining. The comedy is gentle,  accentuated by the excellent use of composer Renzo Rossellini’s musical score. The work of cinematographer Alberto Fusi and editor Mario Bonotti is unfussy and appropriate.