Review of Rocco and His Brothers (1960) by Richard S — 23 Jun 2008

This long time favorite is even more of a treat in 35mm. The new print is far stronger than the current US DVD, but that's to be expected. Normally I'm not taken in by these sorts of familial soap operas, but Visconti blends neorealist themes and locations with a combination of campy melodrama and emotional brutality. Depending on your point of view, the screechingly stereotypical mother is either the weak link or the key to untold comedy. There's something disconcerting about all of the women. They receive very little sympathy while we are expected to forgive the brothers as they frequently go astray. Physical contact between men and women is either violent or robotic while the male bonding is strongly, strongly encouraged.

The larger screen lends a lot of power to the photography and the sense that this was the family epic to end all family epics. While Milanese architecture doesn't play as prominent a role as Antonioni's "La Notte", the harsh buildings and unforgiving industrial outskirts are as important as any of the characters. Whether it was just the result of an additional viewing or the new print, I can't be certain, but the eroticism felt more pronounced and uncomfortable this time around. Whether it was in gestures or extreme closeups, I noticed it a lot more this time around.

Alain Delon's title character also played differently this time out. I used to strongly identify with his unrelenting support for his most troubled sibling. Maybe it's my increased ability to healthily detach from unhealthy circumstances, but I kept shaking my head as he never once considered whether allowing some negative consequences could ultimately better his brother. Maybe he needs some therapy.