Review of The Conformist (1971) by Parker M — 08 Dec 2010

The Conformist is a tiring film to watch. Not because it is boring, but because it is so smart that you could learn so much about filmmaking by watching this film (which is barely 110 minutes!) The film comprises of Platonic ideals and Freudian tempearments in its stylistic cinematography that accomplishes more than exquisiteness. We watch a second-hand narrative of a man's enduring conscious as he lives a life of so much anguish and emotional turbulence. He has never really seen his life full circle and his role in the film is to discover if he can find himself. How? By killing a man. Bernardo Bertolucci's neo-realist film marvels in filmmaking, acting, direction, et al. I just wished it didn't move so slowly. As I said in the beginning, this film isn't boring, it is just slow. We care about these characters, the filmmaking is smart and electrifying, but the film never takes off. It doesn't take us till the climax of the film (something I'm sure the Coen Bros. extracted from in 'Miller's Crossing'-SPOILER a forest execution END SPOILER). This scene is when we really unlock who this character has become. It is sad, terrifying, painful, revolting, but existentially fitting for a story that is meant to end how it begins: the character has found himself but not exactly sure what it means). The Conformist may be visually superior to the director's 5 hr. social drama '1900' but '1900' thrived better in pacing (shockingly considering it is much longer). Still, 'The Conformist' is borderline masterpiece that is almost too smart for the common viewer. It will take a second viewing to see if it brinks 80% territory-the tour de force range, but for now it 'conforms' to a solid 70%.

I SAY-See it.