Today’s quick review: My Name Is Thomas. Thomas (Terence Hill), an old man on a pilgrimage to the Spanish desert, breaks his own rule and picks up a hitchhiker: Lucia (Veronica Bitto), a young woman on her way to Barcelona to visit her aunt. As the two travel by motorcycle across Spain, they connect with each other and share their perspectives on life. But it isn’t long before Lucia’s health issues threaten to cut the trip short.
My Name Is Thomas is an Italian drama about a pensive old man and a troubled young woman who find common ground. The movie aims to be a bittersweet reflection on life, religion, and dying. The minimalistic story gives Thomas and Lucia plenty of time together, and their conflicting personalities are the backbone of the movie. However, poor fundamentals undermine the movie’s efforts, making it a dry and somewhat confusing watch.
My Name Is Thomas never lays the groundwork it needs to make its story work, beginning with its title character. Thomas is framed as a modern-day cowboy, an aging but capable man with a keen sense of honor. But although his character comes across just fine, his personal circumstances do not. The audience is left wondering who he is, why he is going to the desert, and what the book he takes with him is supposed to mean.
The same confusion applies to the story as a whole. There is no hook to reel the audience in and no target for the story to aim for. Instead, My Name Is Thomas meanders without purpose. Lucia causes trouble for Thomas in a series of forgettable incidents, and the two engage in philosophical conversations that are not properly grounded in the story. Topping it all off is some heavy-handed symbolism that adds little to the movie.
My Name Is Thomas falls short of the goals it sets for itself. Its characters have potential but never do anything of note. Its story works as a vehicle for introspection, but it doesn’t have anything meaningful to say. And while it sets up one or two emotional moments later on, they rely on the audience forming a connection with characters they never truly understand. As such, My Name Is Thomas will be a miss for most viewers.
For a dramatic comedy about a man who connects with a mentally troubled hitchhiker, try Arthur Newman. For a more poignant drama about the process of dying, try Seven Pounds or I Want to Eat Your Pancreas. For a more iconic role for Terence Hill, try My Name Is Nobody.
[5.3 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6292090/). I give it a 4.5 for poorly framed drama.