The Conformist

Title: IL Conformista (The Conformist)
Rating: 4.5/5
Genre: Political Drama
Starring: Jean-Louis Trintignant, Stefania Sandrelli, Dominique Sanda
Director: Bernardo Bertolucci
Language: Italian

"Bertolucci" presents us not only with an intellectual triumph, but also an artistic triumph. What we shall see here is a film that casts its everlasting influence over films that came and films yet to come. This the story "Clerici" (Trintignant), an Italian with a not so comforting past, enters himself with the Fascist party and is sent to Paris to assassinate his former professor, who is in exile there. This is a study of a man's mentality, coming from a middle-class family with childhood traumas, who joins a group thinking this will help him have a "normal" life. The use of light/shadow is simply great, with a superb collaboration between "Bertollucci" and " Vittorio Storaro"", the cinematographer, we see how the style reflects not only on "Clerici's" abnormal reality, but also on an expressionist point of fascist aesthetics that bestow on " Il Conformista" a truly remarkable look.

The colors "Bertolluci" used are vivid and luminous while being dark and depressing. The scene with the blowing leaves and the use of natural light and color shows how a beautiful image can be presented without the necessity "showing off". The camera moves fluidly, the costume designs are original costumes from the 30s, the car is there, and the characters are there also. But the scene is beautiful. "Bertolluci" has a keen eye for the use of shadow and light. "Clerici" holding his fiancé she's, she's wearing a black and white striped outfit, they are alone in a closed room with thin layers of sun illuminate it a bit, this is presented with one of the best light contrasts I have ever seen. My personal favorite scene presenting this contrast is that when "Plato's Cave" is described and presented. We see how with careful camera movements and light control we are presented a deep matter than reflects on the film's themes and that shall return again to complement the film's motives.

Aside from the stunning visuals, the film is deep with meaning. For those who have no clue what "fascism" or what "Plato's Cave" is, they might have a harder time analyzing the film. We notice the commentary on many subjects from homosexuality to the regime itself. "Clerici" joins and marries, as he confesses to the priest, in order to have a "normal" life. But what is a "normal life"? We see near the end how his views change, which reflects on an inner struggle. "Bertolucci" smartly dealt with that in the script. We see "Clerici" defending the regime yet at the same time having doubts of what's he supposed to do, a mission he volunteered to take. We even see in what deceiving ways the secret police worked to get what they want.

I honestly didn't have an idea at first that "Trintignant" is actually a French actor. The role fits naturally to him. We can notice he was hurt in the past, we can notice he is having a hard time struggling with the decisions he has to make, and we can notice what toll all of what he goes through have on him. "Sandrelli" plays the role of the bourgeois wife. We can honestly see that she loves her husband and we can honestly see that although she seems simple minded, she at the end does show some comprehension of what goes on. "Sanda" plays the role of the professor's wife who then carries on an affair with someone clearly having an opposite ideology than hers. Her role is a vital presentation of the anti-fascist ideology that helps with the film's objectives.

The film's arrangement with using flashbacks to narrate was good, yet at times it did confuse me. I just feel the flow could have been presented better. While as a whole it won't do much harm to us, it will make it harder to follow the events. The film's look is like a beautiful poem, captivating in its look and grace. The imagery was pleasant and haunting at the same time. The scene in the woods was an elegant display of macabre. I have seen "Bertolluci's" work before in "The Last Emperor", as much as it was well done, I find myself attracted to this film more. "Il Conformista" is a brilliant masterpiece that forced its shadow on other classics like "The Godfather" and its sequels. The film should be watched by those who love class in their cinema. While it may be hard to get into at first, we are soon overwhelmed by its elegancy.