Il conformista (The Conformist) (1970)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Reid V

  
  Appreciate it more than I enjoyed watching it. Beautifully shot, incredibly insightful, often boring.

• Drew S

  
  A fine movie, but dry and difficult to relate to. I can't imagine many people calling this a favorite. I have a great deal of respect for its craftsmanship, above all, most notably because the filming is beyond gorgeous. Vittorio Storaro, cinematographer extraordinaire and… More
  A fine movie, but dry and difficult to relate to. I can't imagine many people calling this a favorite. I have a great deal of respect for its craftsmanship, above all, most notably because the filming is beyond gorgeous. Vittorio Storaro, cinematographer extraordinaire and thrice-over Oscar winner, creates a film that looks insular and harsh even when the environment itself is enticing. A jovial dance scene turns into a cruel, claustrophobic show of mockery for our main character; a beautiful snow-covered forest becomes a scene of carnage and despair. The film is bleak and mundane, probably in keeping with its Fascist parallels, which strengthens the thematic link to its detached protagonist Marcello. He's unusual for his primary goal, which is to assimilate into the rest of Italian society and be completely forgotten. Along the way he somehow determines that the best way to do this is to become a low-grade Mussolini hitman, subsequently tasked with putting together a hit on his old college professor. Marcello becomes stranger still when you take his back story into consideration - he was molested as a child, a likely cause of his burning desire to be normal, and creating an unusual sexual ambiguity that adds weight to the ending. His loyal, oblivious wife was also taken advantage of by a much older man, and it's at this point you realize that the fact that they're both card-carrying Fascists is no coincidence. The notion of wanting to find your identity by shedding it completely is somewhat unnerving, and clearly the film's strength, because what still stands as a strong theme now must have been revolutionary in 1970. It's a little easy to kick the dead Fascist horse forty years after the fact, but so be it.

• Anthony L

  
  Visually, Il conformista has to be one of the most beautiful films ever made, each frame is like a renascence painting and it's easy to see its influence on modern cinema. Luckily the rest is as good. Stuffed to the rafters with symbolism, this film really does need repeat… More
  Visually, Il conformista has to be one of the most beautiful films ever made, each frame is like a renascence painting and it's easy to see its influence on modern cinema. Luckily the rest is as good. Stuffed to the rafters with symbolism, this film really does need repeat viewing but never becomes tiresome in doing so. Sex, sexuality, politics, violence, it's all here in raw glory, an attack on fascism as powerful as Salo, just a little more easy to watch. Highly recommended!

• Stefanie C

  
  A visually stunning, subjective, psychological study of one man's pursuit of 'normalcy.' The plot is non-linear and revealed through a multilayered series of flashbacks. The portrait is rich with scenes of entrapment, Freudian undertones, and homosexuality. Dominique… More
  A visually stunning, subjective, psychological study of one man's pursuit of 'normalcy.' The plot is non-linear and revealed through a multilayered series of flashbacks. The portrait is rich with scenes of entrapment, Freudian undertones, and homosexuality. Dominique Sarda sizzles as the lesbian wife of the professor. The cinemetography is masterful. This is a film that withstands, and may require, repeated viewings to absorb its complexities.

• Randy T

  
  The 'look' of Bertolucci's <i>Conformist</i> is stunning. The locations, the lighting, the overall cinematography - just beautiful. Having given that quarter, I have to say that this wouldn't rank among my top 100 films. Much like the hitman's… More
  The 'look' of Bertolucci's <i>Conformist</i> is stunning. The locations, the lighting, the overall cinematography - just beautiful. Having given that quarter, I have to say that this wouldn't rank among my top 100 films. Much like the hitman's limp commitment to his cause, I found myself disconnected and indifferent to his circumstance. After all, what does he really accomplish? And why should I care? Look, this is a milestone film and I applaud Bertolucci for it's inception and presentation, but I still feel that he has at least two films that outshine this one. Simply a good motion picture that's a tad over-rated.

• Pierluigi P

  
  The story of a man who shook hands with the devil in his despair of trying to run away from his true self at any cost. but when his loyalty is put to the test his conscience and ideals, or the lack of them, will shatter him little by little. Conspicuous, sultry and aesthetically… More
  The story of a man who shook hands with the devil in his despair of trying to run away from his true self at any cost. but when his loyalty is put to the test his conscience and ideals, or the lack of them, will shatter him little by little. Conspicuous, sultry and aesthetically impressive.

• Stella D

  
  a stunning looking complex character study of a weak man with issues who just wants to appear 'normal' and so becomes a fascist. his loyalty is put to the test when he is ordered to kill his former teacher, a dissident exile in france. this was a dubbed version which… More
  a stunning looking complex character study of a weak man with issues who just wants to appear 'normal' and so becomes a fascist. his loyalty is put to the test when he is ordered to kill his former teacher, a dissident exile in france. this was a dubbed version which annoyed me, however it didn't affect the gorgeous cinematography of vittorio storaro. i think i prolly need to watch it again to fully appreciate.

• vieras e

  
  An intriguing character study that leaves you wondering even long after the film is over. The non-linear story-telling may be slightly jarring or confusing at first, but once you get the hang of it, the story opens up before you quite nicely. I think the use of Trio Lescano was… More
  An intriguing character study that leaves you wondering even long after the film is over. The non-linear story-telling may be slightly jarring or confusing at first, but once you get the hang of it, the story opens up before you quite nicely. I think the use of Trio Lescano was pretty brilliant, not only because they were highly popular at that time, but also because their popularity declined and ended just as quickly as it has started when the fascists suddenly accused them of incorporating hidden messages to the enemy into their songs.

• Elvira B

  
  I fixed this review because the previous one didn't really say anything elightening. First, I've though it over and concluded that this might be one of the best films I've ever seen, on many levels. The story is extremely ambiguous, but I'll take a shot at… More
  I fixed this review because the previous one didn't really say anything elightening. First, I've though it over and concluded that this might be one of the best films I've ever seen, on many levels. The story is extremely ambiguous, but I'll take a shot at explaining: Marcello is a hired assassin, working for the Fascist regime. All his life he has struggled with the memories of his childhood, memories that set him apart from the others, that make him different. In a desperate attempt to become accepted by society, to become like all the others, he marries the lovely but mediocre, plain, and predictable woman played by Stefania Sandrelli. But then something very bad happens: he is assigned a job during his honeymoon in Paris that will make him come face to face with his principles, his desires, and whether his need to "fit in" can outweight all else. The cinematography/art direction is incredible. I could not take my eyes off the screen. I even watched the Art Director's commentary, because I was so impressed by this movie's beauty. The performances are very good too, especially Jean Louis Trintignant, a morally wounded soldier somehow marching out of time. He is haunting and complex as Marcello. It is truly one of the most memorable performances I have ever seen on film. Really a must-see of Italian cinema, possibly one of Bertollucci's best. Strikes the perfect balance between substance and style.

• Stephen M

  
  It's a scandal that this isn't out on DVD in the UK. Bertolucci's masterpiece, beautifully shot by Vittorio Storaro.

• Sheldon C

  
  THE CONFORMIST is a deep and engaging drama about a man who conforms to the "wrong" side, and a narrative that touches upon important political issues of its time (film is set in Fascist Italy). Bernardo Bertolucci's film not only boasts a good story but also features… More
  THE CONFORMIST is a deep and engaging drama about a man who conforms to the "wrong" side, and a narrative that touches upon important political issues of its time (film is set in Fascist Italy). Bernardo Bertolucci's film not only boasts a good story but also features even more amazing visuals - the composition, lighting, and camerawork is consistently artistic (d.p. Vittorio Storaro) and especially dazzles given the interesting locations that contain bleak and appropriately emoted colors. Pacing is admittedly slow, but CONFORMIST is nevertheless a great film that is well-appreciated for good reason, and one that comes highly recommended to any audience, whether cinephile or artist.

• Gevvy S

  
  Started off very well, very stylized and compelling. The complex narrative is quite pleasurable to watch, however, by the end there is something lacking. I think the film gets weighed down by the character of Giula because she isn't as interesting as Marcello himself. The camera… More
  Started off very well, very stylized and compelling. The complex narrative is quite pleasurable to watch, however, by the end there is something lacking. I think the film gets weighed down by the character of Giula because she isn't as interesting as Marcello himself. The camera work and mis en scene are breathtaking. The relationship between him and Italo is very interesting as well till the very end. The ending though when Lino is discovered alive and we see Marcello turn on Italo and proclaim them both as fascists is troubling because we don't see the change that brings Marcello to that point. I felt in those kinds of instances that the film sacrificed psychology for style.

• Mike T

  
  Bernardo Bertolucci's masterpiece is exceedingly great based on its visual style alone. The director's use of color, camera movement and majestic shot composition is jaw-dropping. I don't think it's too bold to say this aesthetic feast is one of the most well-shot… More
  Bernardo Bertolucci's masterpiece is exceedingly great based on its visual style alone. The director's use of color, camera movement and majestic shot composition is jaw-dropping. I don't think it's too bold to say this aesthetic feast is one of the most well-shot films around. The beauty of the picture illuminates an inventively structured and psychologically acute study of a multi-layered character. Written and directed with the skill of a true artistic genius.

• Jared H

  
  Visually great, but really tough to sit through.

• Ivan D

  
  One of the perfect examples of a "style and substance" film, with one not overweighing the other; A perfect visual and thematic balance. Vittorio Storaro, Bertolucci's frequent cinematographer, treated the imagery of the film with decaying elegance, with colors shifting… More
  One of the perfect examples of a "style and substance" film, with one not overweighing the other; A perfect visual and thematic balance. Vittorio Storaro, Bertolucci's frequent cinematographer, treated the imagery of the film with decaying elegance, with colors shifting with dream-like ease, like a slower version of a dream machine. Jean-Louis Trintignant's Marcello is the mystery of the film, with actions and motives that ignites certain questions. Did he accept such job because he really IS a fascist at heart? Was he just conforming to the iron fist government? To exorcise personal demons that has inhabited his past? It is the answer to those questions that only he is capable of knowing. It's what makes his character special and very essential to cinema, and like Al Pacino's Michael Corleone, to have the ability to keep certain personal struggles to himself, because in many films that spoon-feeds audiences with all the characters' inner conflicts as to not leave a confused viewer, it's a breath of fresh air to really be acquainted to such a character that would not tell such and instead give a cold stare. "The Conformist" is a fine film, with platonic elements that made me re-open my philosophy notes and think.

• Simeon D

  
  Bernardo Bertolucci's painted portrayal of facist Italy excercises your eyes and brain with a complex, hidden, detailed, confusing, stunning art that is purelly genuine and equally as genius. Marcello, a devout facist assasin, is sent on a mission to France to kill a man and his… More
  Bernardo Bertolucci's painted portrayal of facist Italy excercises your eyes and brain with a complex, hidden, detailed, confusing, stunning art that is purelly genuine and equally as genius. Marcello, a devout facist assasin, is sent on a mission to France to kill a man and his wife who are against facism. Accompanied by his naive, artistically dressed wife, Marcello goes to France and meets up with his former professor and his wife, where Marcello gets off task and forgets about his mission. Half the film is flashbacks showing how Marcello grew up and became a conformist, and he is just an obscure and incredibly unlikable character. I never rooted for him, he's mean, he's not particularly interesting, but he is very well written; Bertalucci tries to show how strange someone must be to conform willingly into facism, and the unlikable Marcello is the perfect vehicle. Bertalucci uses humorous/dazzling visuals and the unlikable character of Marcello to show how absurd and inhuman facism is, and the ending is one of the more symbolic/hallucinative scenes I've seen in any film. Bertalucci also weaved together a sexual and social commentary which is full of memorable characters and overdramatic acting. Vittorio Storaro's innovative cinematography is magnificently stylish and elegant with unneven camera angles and manipulation of light. Stefania Sandrelli is glamorous and gleeful as Marcello's wife, and she makes a very definate impression with beauty, talent, and tantilizing costume design. Bertalucci uses Stefania Sandrelli and Dominique Sanda to exploit sexuality, and he succeeds just by a thread because of the oddness of their behaviors and not over-the-top nudity. The Conformist is an adjective; near artistic perfection and an in depth look at facism, sexuality, and social innadequisies. 85/100

• Anastasia B

  
  one of the early Bertolucci masterpieces- immaculate cinematography, and a theme that has been theoretically analyzed SO much by academia that is reason enough not to mention more about it here. absolute classic and a must-watch-it for any serious film buff.

• Robert F

  
  Ravishing to the eye but less than fully satisfying to the mind.

• Anthony V

  
  A heavy influence on The Godfather. Visually stunning with a great story.

• MJS M

  
  Bernardo Bertolucci?s first great film, this has long been unavailable but finally got a DVD release a year or two ago. Though it has a reputation as a thriller, this is really more of a character study. The film has rightly been praised for its visual beauty. The cinematography is… More
  Bernardo Bertolucci?s first great film, this has long been unavailable but finally got a DVD release a year or two ago. Though it has a reputation as a thriller, this is really more of a character study. The film has rightly been praised for its visual beauty. The cinematography is clear and stunning, the set design is even better. There is a real political and psychological tension throughout, and the film was clearly an inspiration on many of the great 70s political thrillers. I?m definitely going to be buying this on DVD, I need to see it many more times.

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