Monday, June 09, 2008
THE LAW IS AN ASS
Today's NYTimes Best 1176 Film was Pietro Germi's
Sedotta e abbandonata / Seduced And Abandoned (1964)
This hilarious comedy is a near cousin of Divorce Italian Style in that it mocks the church and state laws that presume to govern the chaotic behavior of real people in real life in Italy, particularly Sicily.
The style is neorealism so the action takes place on the real streets with mostly real people in the 'extra' roles.
It requires two levels of observation. The comedy itself is based on an essentially tragic situation where people are badly hurt by arbitrary rules and customs.
Finding the thin line between the two extremes is a dance that Germi does very well.
It is, above all, operatic in its extremes.
The actors are great. A lot of farce and near slapstick comedy is interspersed with serious social commentary.
They do a great job.
I liked it very much and would watch it again if the opportunity came around.
So I will give it a 4 out of Netflix5.
Labels: best films
