Mamma Roma (1962)

100% of critics liked it
(11 reviews)
89% of users liked it
(3,335 ratings)

Anna Magnani stars as Mamma Roma, a rural Italian hooker trying to create a new life for herself. This proves impossible when the past keeps rearing its ugly head in the form of Mamma Rosa's previous "johns." She returns to her old profession, whereupon her son Ettore Garofalo becomes a thief and is… More Anna Magnani stars as Mamma Roma, a rural Italian hooker trying to create a new life for herself. This proves impossible when the past keeps rearing its ugly head in the form of Mamma Rosa's previous "johns." She returns to her old profession, whereupon her son Ettore Garofalo becomes a thief and is killed by the police. Written and directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini (his second film), Mamma Roma is one of the least known but most approachable of the director's efforts. As in many of his earliest movies (and the novels which preceded them), Pasolini explores the limited lives and dashed hopes of the cafoni, the Italian equivalent of America's hillbillies. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 50 min.
Directed By: Pier Paolo Pasolini
Written By: Pier Paolo Pasolini
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1962 Wide
On DVD: Jun 22, 2004

Critic Reviews

Bill Weber, Slant Magazine
Pasolini's second film showcases Anna Magnani with a minimum of sentimentality in a bleak, pitiless Eternal City of the early '60s.
David Fear, Time Out New York
A key transitional work for the cinematic subversive, a seriously damning portrait of maternal martyrdom and, in a killer final shot, upward mobility.
Sean Axmaker, Turner Classic Movies Online
... draws from the neo-realist tradition, but Pasolini goes beyond the tradition to play with the form and structure.
Brandon Judell, Entertainment Asylum
But in a sense, Pasolini's was the perfect death for someone who lived on the edge, whose art was raw as it could be.
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
Spectacular in its reverence for the bottom rung of society.
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
a compelling story, even if its unambiguously bleak ending looms heavy even in moments that seem upbeat
Rumsey Taylor, Not Coming to a Theater Near You
Because it is sublime, and because the confrontation of many of Pasolini's films can be an intimidation, it is among the controversial director's best films.
Jake Euker, Filmcritic.com
The highlight are two long takes in which Magnani walks the nighttime streets of Rome, exhilarating, free-wheeling cinematic moments without close parallels anywhere.
Phil Hall, Wired
Volcanic performance by Anna Magnani.

Read all 9 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

I think this is the earliest Pasolini film I've seen, and it's really pretty good, it has a good story, although it's sort of predictable, the end is good.
Stefanie C

The Italian auteurs? cinematic roots were in neo-realism, yet diverged as their respective styles developed. Aside from Pasolini's political leanings, it is easy to forget he is part of the tradition. This early film is representative of the genre with its trademark usage of… More
The Italian auteurs? cinematic roots were in neo-realism, yet diverged as their respective styles developed. Aside from Pasolini's political leanings, it is easy to forget he is part of the tradition. This early film is representative of the genre with its trademark usage of natural settings, unknown actors, and class exploration. Yet, it also diverges by casting a well-known actress and idiosyncratic camerawork. Pasolini?s incorporation of the marginalized and psycho-sexual themes (think Oedipal) are his own unique signature. What ultimately sticks with me in this film is the priest?s statement to Mamma Roma regarding Ettore: 'You can't make something from nothing.' Yet, this is precisely what Mamma Roma is attempting to do with her son and herself. This is a damning declaration against petit bourgeois values and attempts to move above your class. Anna Magnani as Mamma Roma is larger than life, high spirited, hard working, but is an unredeemed character. This is a visionary indictment of the human spirit ~ an implied consequence of Italy?s political inheritance.
Michael S

Pasolini's greatest, and most heartfelt work.
Eric B

A bravado performance by Anna Magnani in an early Pier Paolo Pasolini film, when Pasolini was still heavily under the sway of neo-realism. You may be hearing Magnani's robust laugh in your sleep for days after watching. The script is a bit wobbly in deciding whether it's a… More
A bravado performance by Anna Magnani in an early Pier Paolo Pasolini film, when Pasolini was still heavily under the sway of neo-realism. You may be hearing Magnani's robust laugh in your sleep for days after watching. The script is a bit wobbly in deciding whether it's a story about Magnani's character or her teenage son, but the ending is surprisingly dramatic. Be patient with the slow opening, and stick with it. I loved the bit with Magnani sauntering down the night streets, indulgently monologuing about herself while other loiterers casually trade off on being her sounding board.

Cast

Anna Magnani
as Mamma Roma
Ettore Garofalo
as Ettore
Franco Citti
as Carmine

Silvana Corsini
as Bruna
Luisa Loiano
as Biancofiore
Ettore Garofolo

See full cast

Mamma Roma (1962)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

Stefanie C

Michael S

Eric B

Cast