Pecado à Italiana

I have seen that movie more than 10 times and most certainly will see it again. It is funny,witty, and elegant. That movie is about a young Italian woman (the beginning of XX century) who was bred without any knowledge of sex life. She is full of stereotypes about how a lady should behave and she is about to be a wife. Hwever, it is not so simple for her (of course). Speaking about genre, Mio Dio, Come Sono Cadutto in Basso is a parody of saccharine sentimental movies about 'real ladies', who know nothing about men, marriage, sex and so on. The actors are brilliant, especially the heroine. The lines are witty. I do not agree with the word 'mediocre' about it. I assess it as excellent and most definitely recommend that movie as a very good comedy, especially if you like to laugh at stereotypical ladies of the beginning of XX century.

After the über-success of 1973's "Malizia", Laura Antonelli was a top star in Italy and considered as the new Sophia Loren. Yet her following movies – "Sessomatto", "Peccato Veniale", "Simona" – were average at best. Then came the 1974 "Mio Dio come sono caduta in basso", a definite highlight of her career in comedy and a small step towards the world of the auteur cinema. In fact, this works so well that she would resume similar roles in "L'innocente" and "Mogliamante".

Set between the early 1900s and 1920, we follow the life of the Sicilian noblewoman Eugenia. Raised in a convent, all of a sudden a marriage to the nutty Lord Raymondo is arranged. The wedding night turns into a disaster: Not just that Eugenia has no idea about sex beyond some mysterious temptation of the flesh, Raymondo receives an information saying that he and Eugenia are actually brothers and sisters! To prevent any damage for the house, Raymondo decides to keep it a secret. So they both play husband and wife. But already on the honeymoon trip to Paris, the beautiful girl is flirted at and gets seduced constantly, and soon, tormented and miserable, the temptation of the flesh becomes unbearable…

Let's face it: The general premise with the brother and the sister is hard to swallow. Even though the writers were well aware of that and explain it in detail: what a huge coincidence. But once it's taken for granted, this becomes an ingenious and unique vehicle for hilarious comedy. Eugenia, a complete newcomer to anything beyond God and the Bible, suddenly confronted with sensuality, intimacy, desire. She knows she wants it, she needs it, but she doesn't even understand it, she is not capable of it. She doesn't know why she should undress on the wedding night, she'll immediately faint when one says a certain word, she'll scream in horror when she sees a nude man for the first time (and will faint again, of course). While deeply caught in her churchy morale, she'll constantly cry "no!", "never!", "have mercy!", but at the same time you see her trembling lips, her thirsty eyes, her body pumping, actually saying "YES!!!". But the only man she feels the right to be with is her husband and that's her brother, so it's out of the question.

This may sound like Eugenia is hard to bear, but that is definitely not the case. It is actually an incredibly bitter, crushing situation, and any viewer with a heart must immediately fall for this so beautiful, yet so sad girl. And in spite of all that tragedy, the script manages to keep a high pace and is funny throughout. The situations are awkward, for instance, you'll see the longest, un-sexiest and funniest striptease scenes ever (including three times full frontal Laura nudity). She wants to commit suicide, but doesn't know how. She desperately seeks the help of her church, but the priests don't see her problem. Finally she'll subject to sexual adventures, enjoying it while it lasts, but being disgusted afterwards. In general, all the scenes with Eugenia and her driver are a true delight, especially when they enter the hayrick. Laura Antonelli is fantastic, just perfect for the part. In my opinion she always excels when being innocent, romantic, somewhat sad and mistreated, and not in her more flashy, alluring, sexy roles. The face of an angel, the body of a sinner. And she is very talented for well-written comedy.

And of course, Alberto Lionello as Raymondo is a great counterpart for Laura. A total buffoon, easy to influence, easy to distract, easy to inspire – a pain in the ass but funny as hell. He is also the script's entrance to provide snappy satire about Italian nationalism, imperialism and social conventions of the time. Everybody is obsessed with the works of Gabriele d'Annunzio, the (involuntary) forerunner of Italian fascism. These elements grow stronger in the last third of the movie, pushing the comedy more and more in the background. And at the same time, the subtle, underlying sad mood for our Eugenia grows stronger. This all culminates in the breakout of the World War.

Overall "Mio Dio come sono caduta in basso" tells a unique, tragicomic story with strong social criticism, along with hilarious comedy and an endlessly lovable main character. It is highly recommended for Laura Antonelli fans, but also for anybody looking for a great period dramedy with clear overweight of the comedy.

Laura Antonelli brings whole new dimensions to the word "luscious" in this movie. She makes the seemingly stock character of the barely-reluctant virgin come alive in her scenes with Placido, thanks to her big eyes and adorably trembling lower lip. And then there's that body...

In addition, "Marriage" has a lot of wry commentary on Italy of the early 1900s. The upper class were a ragingly nationalist bunch not unlike some sectors of the U.S. populace today. (It helps the enjoyment of the film if one knows who Gabriele d'Annunzio was.) A conscript's baleful response to a officer's 'fire them up' speech is the funniest line of the film, one I haven't forgotten.

I saw this in a little independent theatre, and went back for a second helping. If you can find this one on video, rent it!

Unless you are easily distracted by Laura Antonelli, I wouldn't say that there is anything particularly noteworthy about this weak Italian comedy. There were a few funny moments, but more often than not, the jokes were misfires. It didn't take all that long for me to start watching the clock with regularity during this film, so I would have to say that it is fairly dull as well. Learn from my mistake, and don't waste your time watching this forgettable film.

Luigi Comencini made a couple of mildly entertaining films: La boheme with Barbara Hendricks and L'ingorgo. Mostly the tone is bitter-sweet, the colour scheme soft, somewhat washed out and the dramatic level is low. So it is here, with Laura Antonelli (her body could revive a dead man, I sometimes think) and Alberto Lionello playing this silly charade of brother and sister. Michele Placido has some fun playing the chauffeur--and how long does it take him to get her out of her clothes so they can have sex? The plot twists and turns would take too long to recount, and I don't want to use spoilers anyway. The scenes with Karin Schubert and the ladies who obsess over D'Annunzio are really tiresome and should have been deleted.