Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by tinear (A) on November 30, 2020 at 08:09:04

a powerful lead performance by Catherine Spaak, coming soon after her star-making turn in the unjustly forgotten, "Il Sorpasso."

A young woman, orphaned at a young age, is raised in a small town by the priest. A young seminarian takes a romantic interest in her--- and they decide to elope. After one night, the young man decides he's made a mistake--- and abandons her.

At this point, the story could have become predictable, dark, oppressive, and cruel--- but Dora's resilience, sense of humor, and resourcefulness, as perfectly portrayed by Spaak, defeat that.

Nino Manfredi, a super-star of that Italian era, plays her love interest. Lando Buzzara, who starred so wonderfully in, "Divorce, Italian Style," plays the comical policeman suitor that she delights in upsetting.

This is a very funny film, though it has a hard social-commentary edge to it. The cinematography? Brilliant. (Criterion Channel)