Il Conformista 

English title: Conformist (the)

Also known as: Conformiste (le)

Genre: character study

With: Jean-Louis Trintignant (Marcello Clerici), Stefania Sandrelli (his wife Giulia), Gastone Moschin (Manganiello), Enzo Tarascio (Professor Quadri), Dominique Sanda (Anna Quadri), Pierre Clémenti (Pasqualino)

Director: Bernardo Bertolucci

Screenplay: Bernardo Bertolucci from a novel by Alberto Moravia

Release: 1970

Studio: Mars Film, Marianne Productions, Maran Film

Rating: R

MBiS score: 8.9/10

Follow the Leader, Follow Il Duce

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Story-line: the setting is Italy (and also France) during the late 1930s. Marcello Clerici, still rattled by an incident from his youth, has dedicated himself to living as ‟normally” as he can. For him, ‟normalcy” means two things: accepting married life with Giulia (even though he doesn’t love her all that much) and working as a henchman for Mussolini’s fascist machine.  

Pluses: strong acting and direction, a brilliant and ambiguous screenplay that develops powerful political and sexual themes, lovely photography, a pertinent musical score, top-grade production values (locations, costumes and sets).

Minuses: none I can think of, but don’t expect any laughs from this heartless film (one late scene involving Marcello, Anna and Manganiello is especially revolting).

Comments: THE CONFORMIST composes the intellectually fascinating portrait of a chameleon-like character (opportunist? hypocrite?) who caters to the powers that be in an effort to forget past traumas. Dare I say it’s a masterpiece?

MBiS

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