To fully understand this movie one must be well into Italian history or Italian (like me). I am of a younger generation but vaguely remember the 70 and the social and political issues that are the background to this ill-fated triangle.
Adelaide is the naive florist who fells in love with two men, something scandalous at a time when divorce was illegal in Italy. Adelaide is played by the wonderful Monica Vitti, the most talented actress of her generation and an extremely good-looking woman. Her Adelaide is a confused, passionate woman who doesn't know how to handle her feelings for the two men, Oreste and Nello.
Oreste is the older guy, played by Mastroianni, a total looser living in squalor with an older wife and finding in Adelaide's love something totally new and devastating. Nello is younger, but passionate about everything and, like the other two, unable to control his feelings.
The story takes place in the degraded, dirty, polluted Roman outskirts and it is deliciously sarcastic but also tender towards its hapless protagonists. The rest of the cast is also top quality, from the vulgar, rich butcher, also in love with Adelaide, to Adelaide's sister, the God-fearing prostitute.
It's true that the characters shout a good deal and some of the dialogues must be difficult to follow for foreigners. Also, I don't know about the quality of dubbing, since I obviously watched the original which is totally worth the effort because of Monica Vitti soulful, raspy voice and the wonderful dialect spoken by Nello.
The passing of time has made the political sideline of the Communist party quite outdated and people living on the fringe, nowadays are just obnoxious and there is nothing tender about them.
Adelaide is the naive florist who fells in love with two men, something scandalous at a time when divorce was illegal in Italy. Adelaide is played by the wonderful Monica Vitti, the most talented actress of her generation and an extremely good-looking woman. Her Adelaide is a confused, passionate woman who doesn't know how to handle her feelings for the two men, Oreste and Nello.
Oreste is the older guy, played by Mastroianni, a total looser living in squalor with an older wife and finding in Adelaide's love something totally new and devastating. Nello is younger, but passionate about everything and, like the other two, unable to control his feelings.
The story takes place in the degraded, dirty, polluted Roman outskirts and it is deliciously sarcastic but also tender towards its hapless protagonists. The rest of the cast is also top quality, from the vulgar, rich butcher, also in love with Adelaide, to Adelaide's sister, the God-fearing prostitute.
It's true that the characters shout a good deal and some of the dialogues must be difficult to follow for foreigners. Also, I don't know about the quality of dubbing, since I obviously watched the original which is totally worth the effort because of Monica Vitti soulful, raspy voice and the wonderful dialect spoken by Nello.
The passing of time has made the political sideline of the Communist party quite outdated and people living on the fringe, nowadays are just obnoxious and there is nothing tender about them.