The Conformist (1970)

Overrated

Having now seen The Conformist again, in "restored" form, I've got to say I think it terribly overrated. Just for a start, one thing I find problematic is the equation of repressed or latent homosexuality, if that's what it is, with fascist tendencies, or guilt about some homosexual exeperience (as indicated at the end of the film) with whatever the central character's pathology. But then this is not sufficiently clearly sketched to make any real sense; it's the kind of thing that can only be taken seriously in the context of a particular kind of left-wing European machismo of the 1960s. Otherwise it's nonsense. Perhaps one's not meant to take it as "realism" but as "symbolism" all the way through the film, but even then it fails to join the dots; certainly, it doesn't work as "realism". Despite some effective scenes (like the final murder), I think that as a whole this movie has a vastly inflated reputation. June 30, 2008

Tense and psychological drama/thriller

The Conformist is by far a well made and original film, though I can easily say that it is not for all taste, and it may confuse some people. Its not an easy viewing experience, and may take a couple viewings to really understand. Worth it none the less.
I'd like to comment that some viewers (and Mr. Maltin) were led to believe that the main character had repressed homosexuality, which seems to be false because if one watches the film closely, it should be clear that as a young boy, he was sexually led and molested by a young homosexual man who was at first just being a friend to Marcello. Marcello is unconfortable with what is happening and out of fear he shoots at the homosexual man. The incident left its mark on Marcello for the rest of his life, complicating the childs mind forever. It is clear to me that Marcello desires women. He hides behind the mask of a fascist conformist because he wants to be comfortable and live a normal life within the society. He doesn't have a good relationship with his parents or good memories of childhood so he is trying to escape. With the two women he is involved with in this story, are the only times we see any happiness expressed by Marcello. He is a tortured mind of confusion and angst and he does have many fears and repressed emotions. At the end when the fascist goverment seems to have fallen we see Marcello and his blind friend walking the street, seeing the reaction of the city. He overhears a homosexual mans pickup conversation with another man, and then discovers that it is the man who molested him as a child who wasn't actually killed by the bullet he had shot. He then expresses some inner turmoil to the man who then runs away. In other words, Marcello flips out. March 4, 2008

Classic!

It is a year of Bernardo Bertolucci's revival. Everyone was talking about "The Conformist" this year and I have decided to see the film again. Based on Moravia's book, film depicts young man, in his early thirties, doing his best to fit in society of the fascist Italy of the pre world war II era. The entire film is symbolism of man's search for himself and discovery of one's true identity. Marcello, the main character of the story, is a member of the secret fascist group in charge of hunting down and eliminating exiled intellectuals. In the course of the assignment, which incidentally takes place during Marcello's honeymoon in Paris, Marcello reconnects with his former philosophy professor he is tasked to eliminate. With flashbacks from his childhood and completion of the assignment, Marcello finally uncovers that behind the facade of happily married man and a father, he is damaged homosexual whose denial led him to a life of professional assasin whose life is full of treason, murder and misplaced ideals. This is a masterpiece of a film. Everything is pure perfection: the actors, costumes, colors, symbols, music. Bertolucci gets credit for not only presenting the story in all its complexity but for assembling great cast both in front and behind the camera. This film is a classic masterpiece. One of the fims that stays in one's personal library. January 21, 2008

MASTERPIECE COMPLETE AT LAST

Finally the complete masterpiece by Bernardo Bertolucci is on DVD in a very good restoration. There are so many beautiful and ground-breaking scenes that one cannot enumerate them all.

One I will mention is the scene where Sandrelli is in a black and white diagonally-patterned dress moving about and dancing in a room with horizontal shadows created by gently moving venetian blinds. Mesmerising.

Dominique Sanda is enigmatic and a perfect ploy for the conflicted thoughts and sexual longings of Trintignant. The cinematography by the genius Storaro is breathtaking and the costumes and locations are authentic and beautifully gloomy - the locations, that is.

It's great to have this seminal movie of the early seventies issued again on DVD and is essential for any film aficianado. December 1, 2007

Be afraid of indifferent people! It is due to their silent indifference that the worst things happen in the world."

Bernardo Bertolucci was 29 years old when he made "Il Conformista" (1970) based on the novel of great Alberto Moravia. Bertolucci wrote the script which was later nominated for The Academy Award and made the perfect film, refined, complex, and visually amazing. The film portrays the corrupting deadly power of Fascism and does it much better than the same director's 5 hours long "1900" (1976) and "Il Conformista" does not even have a character like the monstrous Fascist, sadist-murderer Attila Mellanchini. "Attilas" of the world are obvious (it does not mean that they are less dangerous) but "Marcello Clericis" are not - all they want to do -is to fit in, to be accepted, to look and act normal, to conform, and there is no limit to how far they'd go on the road of lies and betrayal. Marcello Clerici (Jean Lois Trintignan) tries to suppress a childhood episode of sex abuse that had changed him forever and made him believe that he could become an assassin. To prove his loyalty to the fascist state, he accepts the order of the party superiors to assassinate his former college professor known for his liberal anti-fascist outlooks. The professor left Italy and resides in exile in Paris with the much younger wife (Dominique Sanda). Marcello is not a murderer but he belongs to the sort of humans on whom the famous publicist, Bruno Yasiensky gave the immortal description: "Do not be afraid of your enemies. At most, they can kill you. Do not be afraid of your friends. At most, they can betray you. Be afraid of indifferent people! It is due to their silent indifference that the worst things happen in the world."

"Il Conformista" is deservingly famous for its stunning cinematography by Vittorio Storaro (who also shot for Bertolucci "The Last Tango in Paris" and "The Last Emperor"), production design by Nedo Azzini, Original Music by Georges Delerue, and Costume Design by Gitt Magrini. For me, "Il Conformista" is also the movie with one of the most beautiful and sexiest scenes ever filmed - Stefania Sandrelli (Marcello's naive young wife) and Dominique Sanda dancing tango.
November 23, 2007

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