Divorce Italian Style Review- By Michael Carlisle

 Title: Divorce Italian Style
Director: Pietro Germi
Year: 1961
Country: Italy
Language: Italian

Very recently I watched Federico Fellini's La Strada and was absolutely amazed by it. I then decided to check out more Italian films and came across Pietro Germi's controversial dark comedy Divorce Italian Style. It reminded me of British director Robert Hamer's Kind Hearts and Coronets in its use of murder to create absurd comedy. This film was made during a time in which divorce was illegal in Italy and openly makes fun of the forced catholic lifestyle the Sicilian people had to endure. Divorce Italian Style is very feminist friendly as it is also a clear satire on macho masculinity and the patriarchy that follows it.

Petro Germi won an Academy Award Oscar for writing this darkly funny tale about Baron Fefé Cefalù (Marcello Mastroianni). He is a Sicillian who is bored of life and of his wife Rosalinda (Daniella Rocca). He is a man who is quite in love with his young yet beautiful cousin Angela, who spends the Summer in the same palace. Since divorce is illegal in 1960's Italy, he decides to kill his wife. He knows that he will get a lighter sentence if he proves that he acted out of honour, catching his wife with another man. So he decides to recruit a friend to seduce her.

Interestingly enough the plot of the film sounds incredibly realistic, I'm sure many men in Italy have tried this, because the loop-holes of the Italian penal code are quite obvious and unfortunately not even close to the woman's favour. In the Italian penal code of the sixties, men really could plea guilty to murder, say they were trying to avenge their honor and would get lesser sentences. In the complete Catholic society, people would get married for life, there was really no way out. Some religious people might think this is great, but Germi obviously knew better. Couples who became incompatible overtime weren't able to leave, women who were being abused couldn't find help. This film may be a satire, but it also a loud cry of disgust.

Marcello Mastroianni, best known for his role in Federico Fellini's 8 1/2, plays his character, the sarcastic and over the top macho Baron Cefalu wonderfully well. He is Chaplin-esque in the way that he doesn't have to say a word to make you chuckle, his facial movements are enough. Rosalinda is somewhat annoying, and it is easy to see why her husband would want to get rid of her. On some level this film is vulgar and low brow, but on another it is wonderfully political. Knowing that the Italians weren't happy about the system put in place, is uplifting and created hope.

In conclusion, this is a both important and wonderfully entertaining film. One of the best dark comedies I have seen in recent memory. Astonishingly devious, you will find yourself engaged in this film from start to finish. If you understand "satire" then you will love Divorce Italian Style. Praise it! 5/5