The Conformist (2012)

Too much of everything

Powerful

Memorable, crazy movie

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

The career performance from JeanLouis Tringtingant as the 'conformist' of the Italian Gestapo defines this political drama along with the mastery work of mastermind Bernardo Bertolucci.It is simply a classic film in genre, very appealing to those who know their history of fascist Italy. Tringtingant portrays the confined movements and confidential mannerisms of the gestapo officer in such a fashion that it is unquestionably spot on.A powerful film, the Conformist is one that has very deep back stories, tying loose ends in the film and giving it another dimension. The watcher is engaged within the secret lives of many throughout this film.This is without doubt an enthralling political drama which is good study material and is quite realistic in multiple ways.

Bertolucci is my favorite director but I knew him mostly with romances. And now this movie totally blew my mind: I have to say that this is This is Bertolucci's one of the greatest works. He really went too serious lately. This movie shows him as fully developed director in both visual and metaphoric way to tell the story. The movie is an amazing work in all means of cinematography. The ending on fascism and homosexuality is certainly proof of a talented filmmaker.I was lucky enough to watch this film in a theater several weeks later after released. If you have the chance, don't miss the chance to see it on a big screen.

Some critics say this is an important, thought-provoking film. I guess they are right, because it provoked me to think about a question that has bothered me for some time: Why do I keep watching these dumb foreign films just because critics tell me they are important and thought provoking? As is typical for a dumb foreign film, there is a lot of decadent sex. For example, the protagonist figures his half-brother is giving their mother morphine and having sex with her, so he has a fellow fascist slap him around. And by George, that is the last we hear about that! I guess this is what foreign directors call "character development." If so, there is plenty more character development in this movie. Anyway, as the title indicates, the protagonist just wants to conform and be like everyone else. So I guess he figures a good way to conform is by being an assassin. And to have more character-developing sex.

Marcello Clerici is in Paris to assassinate his former college professor Luca Quadri on the fascist Italian government's orders. Manganiello is driving him tracking Luca and his wife Anna. The movie has various flashbacks of his life. He is disliked as a child by the other kids. Chauffeur Lino befriends the kid but then makes a sexual advance on him. He take Lino's gun and shoots wildly presumably killing Lino. In another series of flashbacks, he is getting married to Giulia and keeps a lot of his life secret from her. They go to Paris on their honeymoon and befriend the Quadris. After the war, Marcello meets up with Lino once again.The conformist is a nice way to describe the lead character. He is a man with no convictions. He is damaged and weak. It's hard man to care about but still fascinating. The start of the movie does lack clarity. I would like the flashbacks to not switch back and forth so much in the beginning. Director Bernardo Bertolucci has a great eye and this is filmed beautifully. The ending is so powerful. Marcello had been holding back until he finally explodes. In that one instant, the audience glimpses his true self.