More famous for his Americanized films like Stealing Beauty with Liv Tyler, Bernardo Bertolucci (Last Tango in Paris) is one of the great Italian filmmakers. I'm going to step out on a limb here and say this is probably his best film. This film is about a man whose job it is to kill of people who might be subversives against the fascist regime in Italy during the 1930's. He is the ultimate conformist, doing what others say is the proper course of action. Slow moving at first, it turns into a beautiful commentary on the uncritical choices we make and how the consequences of such choices have an effect on us and our relationships (despite our own denial). It is also beautifully shot, many of the scenes will be in my head for a long time.
December 17, 2006
The Conformist - 7
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Excellent comments; glad you've gotten a chance to see this.
Since I watched it in early October, the film and its subject matter have stayed with me, vaulting into my top ten films list and pushing a likeminded film such as The Third Man down because the latter film lacks the political and some of the ethical subtext. While that film is the emobodiment of quality Hollywood film, this is a quality world film. And the difference lies therein.
Paul
I saw this a week or so ago and liked it a lot. It was so vivid in texture and color that it REALLY made a lasting impression on me. The story was good too, though I must confess I was tired and missed a lot.
Paul, the Third Man can't be the embodiment of quality Hollywood, since the film was made in England with English money; the only Americans involved were the two lead actors. The film has even caused some to question its inclusion in the AFI's 100 Great American movies, since it's technically not an American film.
Post a Comment