Sophia Loren's character is living in Fascist Italy with many kids, no shortage of chores, and a beastly, unfaithful husband who uses her house dress as a hand towel. He is played by a dubbed John Vernon because of the Canadian money behind the picture, I suppose. He is something of a distraction in my opinion. Mussolini's Fascism strengthens her sense of self and belonging, but without the freedom to express alternative views, should she have any, she is like a caged myna bird that begins to notice the bars around it. That is not to say that she lives oblivious to the possibility of subversion, but familial, societal, and governmental pressures bear down on her significantly. Adherence is more the path of least resistance than an exercise of volition.
Marcello Mastroianni's character is a persecuted subversive on the verge of suicide. Whether her knock at the door prevents it is an open question. He is debonair, amiable, and dashingly Italian in his presumptuousness. But, feeling out of place in an insane world, he is guarded before unveiling himself and eventually releases his frustrations upon her. She retreats behind her familiar wall of intolerance, but her short and refreshingly escapist acquaintance with him had broadened her mind irrevocably and convincingly. Though her jerk husband would not be so easily disillusioned and she is moved romantically and sexually, this brilliant film convincingly elucidates how fascistic thinking is generally manufactured. Interestingly, they have sex despite him identifying as homosexual. Something he undertook unreservedly but experienced differently. As someone who strictly defines my own heterosexuality, I consider him bisexual.
Though it can be too fanciful to be intended, I like reading about symbolism in films because little of it occurs to me when watching them. This film is exceptionally rich in its symbolism. Hitler's historic visit to Rome has apparently cleared their apartment complex of everyone but them and a hag caretaker, whose radio blares the approving coverage that counterpoints their solidarity across political lines. The element of their chance encounter appeals to me greatly. Both direly in need of it, they are in the end the better for it. Easier said for him than her, however, as he is lead away with the benefit of insight, she is back to her burdensome existence without the crutch of blind loyalty. She nevertheless reads the book he gave her with the benefit of knowing herself to be a much improved and genuinely appreciated human being.
She is a formidable and very well-spoken character with an inferiority complex for lacking the education attained by her husband's mistress. The book is a compliment to her and warmly received. Her husband demonstrates no ability to ascertain or appreciate intelligence in another human being. This worthwhile aspect of the story would have gone over better with me if he were less of an unwashed ruffian and more of a bombastic martinet.
Marcello Mastroianni's character is a persecuted subversive on the verge of suicide. Whether her knock at the door prevents it is an open question. He is debonair, amiable, and dashingly Italian in his presumptuousness. But, feeling out of place in an insane world, he is guarded before unveiling himself and eventually releases his frustrations upon her. She retreats behind her familiar wall of intolerance, but her short and refreshingly escapist acquaintance with him had broadened her mind irrevocably and convincingly. Though her jerk husband would not be so easily disillusioned and she is moved romantically and sexually, this brilliant film convincingly elucidates how fascistic thinking is generally manufactured. Interestingly, they have sex despite him identifying as homosexual. Something he undertook unreservedly but experienced differently. As someone who strictly defines my own heterosexuality, I consider him bisexual.
Though it can be too fanciful to be intended, I like reading about symbolism in films because little of it occurs to me when watching them. This film is exceptionally rich in its symbolism. Hitler's historic visit to Rome has apparently cleared their apartment complex of everyone but them and a hag caretaker, whose radio blares the approving coverage that counterpoints their solidarity across political lines. The element of their chance encounter appeals to me greatly. Both direly in need of it, they are in the end the better for it. Easier said for him than her, however, as he is lead away with the benefit of insight, she is back to her burdensome existence without the crutch of blind loyalty. She nevertheless reads the book he gave her with the benefit of knowing herself to be a much improved and genuinely appreciated human being.
She is a formidable and very well-spoken character with an inferiority complex for lacking the education attained by her husband's mistress. The book is a compliment to her and warmly received. Her husband demonstrates no ability to ascertain or appreciate intelligence in another human being. This worthwhile aspect of the story would have gone over better with me if he were less of an unwashed ruffian and more of a bombastic martinet.