Three partisans bound by a strong friendship return home after the war, but the clash with everyday reality puts a strain on their bond.
Acting
Vittorio Gassman's slow-motion unraveling is masterclass.
Direction
Scola's flashback structure that weaponizes nostalgia.
Cinematography
Rome itself as fourth character, aging beautifully.
Director
Ettore Scola
Nino Manfredi
Antonio
Vittorio Gassman
Gianni Perego
Stefania Sandrelli
Luciana Zanon
Stefano Satta Flores
Nicola Palumbo
Giovanna Ralli
Elide
Aldo Fabrizi
Romolo Catenacci
Elena Fabrizi
Anna Catenacci, Romolo's wife
Fiammetta Baralla
Maria
Isa Barzizza
Elena
Livia Cerini
Rosa
Carla Mancini
Lena
Lorenzo Piani
Enrico
Marcello Mastroianni
Marcello Mastroianni
Mike Bongiorno
Mike Bongiorno
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The Fellini-esque party scene actually features Fellini himself in a cameo as the party host, blurring reality and Scola's cinematic lineage.
The film's use of flash-forward narration was revolutionary for 1974 Italian cinema—Scola essentially invented the 'How did we get here?' structure that dominates prestige TV today.
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