The dynamic in this movie is created by the interplay between the extrovert Bruno (in his early forties) and the introvert Roberto (in his early twenties). Roberto, who meets Bruno coincidentally, is sucked into accompanying him on a two-day road trip from Rome to Tuscany. The theme of an extrovert bringing an introvert out of his shell is not an uncommon one--for example, see "Zorba the Greek" and "A Separate Peace." Most of the time the introvert imagines a more exciting life by the exposure to the extrovert, but sometimes holds his own as an equal, for example in "My Dinner with Andre" and "Master and Commander." In this movie Roberto is taken in by Bruno and his transformation in the span of two days was hard for me to believe. Introversion is a personality trait that is almost as embedded in a personality as sexual orientation.
Reviewer debblyst makes the comment: "Bruno (Gassman), pushing forty, is a no-good con artist, a 'vitellone': loud, hyperactive, exhibitionist, self-centered, narcissistic, immature, confrontational, untrustworthy and...irresistible." I agree with all of the adjectives here except "irresistible." I found Bruno contemptible and irritating and would give such a person wide berth if I encountered him, as Roberto would have been wise to have done. Much of the movie takes place from the vantage point of Bruno's car where he seems to feel that he is in a race with every driver on the road, hurling insults at everyone he passes, including bicyclists. Picture the biggest ass you have ever encountered on the road and Bruno would qualify. His car had a musical horn that drove me nuts every time it was sounded. By the end of the movie the damn horn was so obnoxious to me that I almost had to bail.
Many have commented on how valuable this movie is for its social commentary on the times in Italy in the early 60s. If this is so, then it was mostly lost on me. If you view Bruno as a metaphor for Italy, then I suppose the message is that hedonism leads to unfortunate consequences. I did not need to spend two hours to finally get that message. I very much liked "La Dolce Vita" and I think any social commentary in "Sorpasso" pales in comparison to that earlier movie. In fact Fellini's movie is superior in almost all respects: cinematography, story, acting, depth, and score.
I am not immune to the charms of Catherine Spaak (who plays Bruno's daughter)--she was one of the few high points for me.
It is hard to be positive about a movie where I find the main character to be so unlikeable. At the end of the movie I can picture Bruno haggling over scrap metal prices.
Reviewer debblyst makes the comment: "Bruno (Gassman), pushing forty, is a no-good con artist, a 'vitellone': loud, hyperactive, exhibitionist, self-centered, narcissistic, immature, confrontational, untrustworthy and...irresistible." I agree with all of the adjectives here except "irresistible." I found Bruno contemptible and irritating and would give such a person wide berth if I encountered him, as Roberto would have been wise to have done. Much of the movie takes place from the vantage point of Bruno's car where he seems to feel that he is in a race with every driver on the road, hurling insults at everyone he passes, including bicyclists. Picture the biggest ass you have ever encountered on the road and Bruno would qualify. His car had a musical horn that drove me nuts every time it was sounded. By the end of the movie the damn horn was so obnoxious to me that I almost had to bail.
Many have commented on how valuable this movie is for its social commentary on the times in Italy in the early 60s. If this is so, then it was mostly lost on me. If you view Bruno as a metaphor for Italy, then I suppose the message is that hedonism leads to unfortunate consequences. I did not need to spend two hours to finally get that message. I very much liked "La Dolce Vita" and I think any social commentary in "Sorpasso" pales in comparison to that earlier movie. In fact Fellini's movie is superior in almost all respects: cinematography, story, acting, depth, and score.
I am not immune to the charms of Catherine Spaak (who plays Bruno's daughter)--she was one of the few high points for me.
It is hard to be positive about a movie where I find the main character to be so unlikeable. At the end of the movie I can picture Bruno haggling over scrap metal prices.