Wifemistress

I too was thrilled to discover this gem. The voyeurism, Laura's innocent eroticism so obvious in Malizia comes through and is just right for a story of sexual awakening. The idea of a woman following her husband's sexual escapades and taking revenge by initiating her own shows that a woman's liberation from the morays of her time was possible even in the 19th Century.

The use of Albinioni's Adagio is very appropriate as it imparts a sadness and languorous aura that fits the story particularly Marcello's longing and resignation. This how you make an erotic film that tops the soft porno of the Emmanuelle series.

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.

I can not understand why so few people have seen or commented on this film. I`ve seen both the subtitled and the dubbed version and think this may well be Mastroianni's best work. The film runs a very difficult twin course of voyeurism and a woman's sexual and personal awakening.

Early on in the film, Mastroianni's character is forced into hiding across the street from his shut-in wife, who is unaware of where her husband is hiding. As Marcello's character slowly fades in strength and in conviction, his heretofore frigid, hypochondriac wife slowly becomes her missing husband-- taking over his business, his habits, his thoughts, and eventually even his mistress. The change is all the more striking because Marcello watches the change, peeping through her window. As she gains in strength and confidence, he loses both, realizing that his life had been based on lies. The film is lushly filmed with an amazing score. Did I mention that the actresses in the movie are stunningly beautiful? While most would probably pronounce 8 1/2 or La Dolca Vita as the best Italian films ever made, I`d vote for WifeMistress.

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?????????????????

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!