Review of The Conformist (1971) by Spangle — 19 Feb 2016
The Conformist can be quite slow, but it more than makes up for this with some serious production value. From the shot construction, framing, and lighting, the cinematography is pure perfection. The score is fantastic and really captures the feeling of the film very well.
The production design and costume design are also both exemplary and capture the essence of the era. For the rest of the film, it does not rise to the level of these production values. However, due to its setting in Rome during and after the time of Mussolini's reign, it truly makes for a captivating background.
The story as a whole as it unfolds is riveting and, though it can be tough to follow at times, really keeps you engrossed throughout. There are quite a few moving parts and it requires some historical knowledge of the era, but all that said, The Conformist is a phenomenal work from Italian director Bernardo Bertolucci.
One of the most beautifully shot films around, The Conformist is a true piece of cinematic art.
This review of The Conformist (1971) was written by Spangle on 19 Feb 2016.
The Conformist has generally received very positive reviews.
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