Gruppo di famiglia in un interno (1974) YTS

Reviewed by CinemaSerf 7 / 10

The reclusive "Professor" (Burt Lancaster) is pretty quickly

The reclusive "Professor" (Burt Lancaster) is pretty quickly regretting his decision to rent the upstairs apartment in his villa to the Marchesa "Brumonti" (Silvana Mangano) when his housekeeper (Elvira Cortese) starts to see the ceiling cave in. Furious at the fairly wholesale damage to his own home, he goes to inspect the property and discovers "Konrad" (Helmut Berger), a rather aggressive young man who turns out to be her toy boy, and who thinks he has permission for the redevelopment! Multiple phone calls later and a semblance of peace breaks out, but not for long as we are now immersed in a series of family disputes, lovers tiffs, political debates and even some left-field surprises. It has a very theatrical style to it, this production, and at times I wondered if it might actually be better with the confines of the stage to hem it in, but that doesn't stop it being a potent look at the toxicity of relationships - past and present, as the old gent finds his previous peaceful existence little more than a faint or maybe even feint, memory. The dialogue is provocative and engaging, with plenty of references to capitalism, communism and fascism to keep the pot boiling over some pretty hot flames from time to time. Though I found Lancaster to be a little too understated, Berger and Mangano are on good form and the whole thing has an effective claustrophobia to it that I quite enjoyed. I didn't love the conclusion, but I'm not sure quite what would have satisfied me here as their manoeuvrings would have made Machiavelli, even Dante, blush.

Reviewed by JuguAbraham 8 / 10

A film that got completed because of the lead actor--and a superb swansong for a great director

On a second viewing after a 35 year gap, I am convinced this is indeed a lovely work and a major work of Visconti. This is is also one of those rare films that an actor--Burt Lancaster--helped a director to make a great film. (One recalls Kirk Douglas prevailing on Stanley Kubrick to change the ending of Paths of Glory, only to make it a major work of cinema). Here, Burt Lancaster, staked his own money to complete the film as producers backed out noticing the director was ill and could die before the film was completed.One major fact that I did not realize was the title did not relate to conversations in the movie but was a well known (in the world of paintings) title for a series of paintings. That makes you to reassess the entire film. The film is a study of Italy through the eyes of three generations and their varied values on social interactions, art, politics, architectural design, music, et al.Once you evaluate the film on the basis of the painter's decision to change the very trees and objects in his painting compared to the photograph taken of the same scene, the movie's stature itself changes. The opening credits that begin with a blast followed by the electrocardiogram graph roll streaming out unattended is a Visconti masterstroke.That the film was made by the director sitting on a wheel chair is impressive. Is it a film about acquiring possessions or about understanding people? Both. One realizes the importance of understanding human behaviour of strangers, as one educated professor was withdrawing into solitude surrounded by books, works of art and great music. And his life changes for the richer experience in his sunset years. A great film indeed with superb performances from Burt Lancaster and Silvana Mangano. The cameos of Claudia Cardinale and Dominique Sanda do not contribute much except in providing insights into the character of the professor.Highly recommended for serious viewers of good quality cinema.

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Gruppo di famiglia in un interno

1974 [ITALIAN]

Action / Drama / Romance

Gruppo di famiglia in un interno

1974 [ITALIAN]

Action / Drama / Romance

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Movie Reviews

The reclusive "Professor" (Burt Lancaster) is pretty quickly

A film that got completed because of the lead actor--and a superb swansong for a great director

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