Review of The Conformist (1971) by Ld P — 15 Sep 2009
The Conformist (1970. Bertolucci's best film. A masterpiece. I saw it 09/15/09 amd its as breathtaking today as when I saw it at TTU film revival in 1975. The film is a case study in the psychology of fascism: Marcello Clerici is a bureaucratic man dehumanised by a dysfunctional middle class family and a childhood sexual trauma.
He accepts an assignment from Mussolini's secret police to assassinate his former mentor, living in exile in Paris. In Trintignant's characterization, Clerici is willing to sacrifice his values in the interests of building a so-called "normal life.
This is a very rich and poetic movie. I will not get to much more into the plot. The set decoration art decoration are filled with art deco and huge vistas of the Fascists art and decor associated with the Fascist mentality and era: the middle-class drawing rooms and the huge halls of the ruling elite.
Bertolucci uses a series of unusual camera angles and fluid camera movement. There is beautiful use of colors angles lights shadows in very frame of the film. It won an oscar for best screenplay and golden globe for best foreign film.
1970 the french connection took all the awards. This film was not nominated for best foreign film for some reason. SEE MY LISTS of foreign film nominated for best foreign film (by year) five stars highest recomendation.
This review of The Conformist (1971) was written by Ld P on 15 Sep 2009.
The Conformist has generally received very positive reviews.
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