La maîtresse légitime

It's been decades since I've seen this. I watched it several times in the 80s as I would insist on friends seeing it. SO beautiful. Not just Antonelli who is a remarkable creature, but even the carriage she travels in-all details exquisite! Wonderful story.

Like the other reviewer, can't imagine how or why this movie is not a classic always available!

My husband and I saw this movie when it was first released in the US, and we loved it. Through the years, however, we forgot the title and the actors' names. When we later discussed the movie and wanted to own it, we couldn't find it! It took us a long time to figure out who was in the movie and then, consequently, the title. It's such a memorable film, and the depictions of the changing emotions of the actors are priceless. The unfolding of the woman back to a normal life is marvelous to behold, as is the utter frustration of her husband, watching her bloom from across the street. I highly recommend Wifemistress. And I agree: when is this film going to come out on DVD?????????????????

This was a terrific Italian film I saw several years ago and loved. It's about a jerk of a husband (Mastriani) who is a traveling salesman who is unfaithful to his long-suffering wife. He blames her for being "frigid" but it's just an excuse to run around on her when he's also out drumming up business. Well, through unusual circumstances, he fakes his own death to avoid being prosecuted for murder. The wife, previously a sickly invalid, forces herself out of the home to take over his job. At first, it's tough, but over time she's able to become quite successful. So much so, that the husband, who's hiding in an abandoned room across the street starts to regret his being in hiding--and for taking this vivacious woman for granted!! Well, where the movie goes from there is something you'll need to see for yourself. The film is very intelligently written and the acting is terrific--see this and see how good some of the non-Hollywood films can be.

Although it was over ten years ago I saw this movie I can still remember it well. I regard it as one of the best movies I have ever seen! Sensual atmosphere, delicious lighting, vibrant colours and the very best in acting performance. Go see it if you can!

After „Divina Creatura" (1975) and „L'Innocente" (1976), 1977's „Mogliamante" was Laura Antonelli's next step in the world of auteur cinema. Perhaps even her best performance, although the movie is – unfortunately - kind of obscure.

A small town in the Veneto, the winter of 1912: Traveling wine merchant Luigi de Angelis (Marcello Mastroianni) is witness to the murder of a business associate. Although innocent, he realizes he would be the prime suspect and therefore decides to fake his own death. But from his new hideout, he can see directly into the rooms of his home. He sees his wife Antonia, a rich heiress. Their dysfunctional marriage has tormented the beautiful woman for years, has even confined her to bed due to delusional illnesses. When she hears about Luigis death, she seizes her chance to break out of the cage. She follows Luigis itinerary and discovers all he had hidden from her for years. His works, his ways, his hobbies, his vices. And she learns all what was kept from her – love, sexuality, self-awareness. Luigi has to silently witness the awakening of his wife, mirroring his former life, and the more she blossoms, the more he suffers...

This is an outstanding movie in every respect. Most praise must go to the finely balanced, sensitive screenplay. The circumstances around Luigi's suspicion of murder and his injury are a little bit too constructed, but this is just a small nit given the unique and fascinating premise that unfolds. Everything that Antonia does is seen by Luigi (or is reported to him). And the more of his secrets she uncovers, the more is he embarrassed. At some point Antonia realizes that her husband is very alive and watching her, and from then, she will hurt him by living out his vices directly under his eyes. The scenes when Antonia is watching over to Luigis hideout, knowing he's there in the dark, are breathtaking. While the empathy of the viewer is clearly with Antonia, the screenplay carefully manages to shed a different light on the (initially cruel and self-righteous) Luigi. This is just excellent, and you will wonder where and how far this will go for the two. The story is also very complex, not just covering the awakening of Antonia, but providing sub-plots and multi-layered social criticism as well.

The beautiful landscape of the Veneto in winter adds a lot of atmosphere, be it the town square, the vineyards, the pompous villas and residences, or just the romantic mill in a valley. The wonderful score even tops that, with an incredibly charming, bittersweet main theme that will reappear frequently. Highly memorable.

Marcello Mastroianni is excellent as always and it is also thanks to his personality that in the end you can feel sorry for Luigi, knowing what he has done (and has not done). But it is the performance of Laura Antonelli what makes the movie so special. Her Antonia evolves from a allegedly frigid, mistreated hypochondriac, into a self-confident, strong woman. Step by step, subtle nuances. This is fascinating to watch, and is played perfectly by Laura in all her outstanding beauty, sensibility and fragility, leaving the old „sexy comedy" clichés way behind her.

Overall, this is an accessible „arthouse" period drama with erotic touches, full of emotions, tragedy, tears, but also dreams, fullfilment, hope. A feel-good-movie with an unique storyline and outstanding actors, marvellous to behold and to listen to. A shame it's comparably unknown in both Antonelli's and Mastroianni's filmographies.