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Rating:
"Il Sorpasso," a film from 1962 directed by Dino Risi, should undoubtedly be counted among the 5 most important films in Italian cinema.
The story begins on a sweltering Ferragosto, onboard the legendary Lancia Aurelia belonging to Bruno Cortona (an unparalleled Vittorio Gassman), desperately searching for a phone. Stopping to cool off, he meets the young graduate student Roberto Mariani (Jean Louis Trintignant); the two get to know each other, and we get to know them.
On one side, there's the bold Bruno, a stereotype of the Italian of that era and a symbol of a crafty Italy; on the other, the timid Roberto, clinging to principles and anchored in morality. The symbolism, both for the characters and the places they visit, is a constant throughout the entire feature film, which shows us an exceptional snapshot of Italy at that time, in the midst of an economic boom.
But the parallel soul of the film is linked to Roberto, to his discovering many key points of his own life, thanks also to the ironic comments of his adventurous companion (a typical example being the homosexuality of Occhiofino); at the same time, the viewer discovers unusual backstories, like Bruno's failed marriage and his unconditional affection towards his daughter Lilly (Catherine Spaak). Many dialogues would deserve a detailed analysis because they show us how each character is partially caricatured, yet also dramatically real, relatable to today's reality. "Il Sorpasso" is a film that makes you genuinely laugh at certain points, but after the laughter comes the awareness of recognizing oneself in a joke or a particular situation, prompting reflection.
On what? On how Dino Risi understood (45 years in advance, and forgive me if that's not a small feat) where Italy was headed, while at the same time opening the era of road movies.
The finale is the pinnacle of a story that, although unfolds over only two days, makes us understand the situation of many lives that intertwine, sometimes clash but never uselessly, never for mere spectacle.
Special mention to the magnificent soundtrack. Hats off to Dino Risi, a director who certainly needs no introduction but who, in my opinion, with "Il Sorpasso," surpassed himself.
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Other reviews
By donjunio
Dino Risi's most famous film continues to be rightly ranked among the most significant and influential works in the history of our cinema.
Il Sorpasso, with its idea of speed as morality and paradigm, inaugurates a dizzying concept of modernity.
By Confaloni
"Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans."
When it is said that destiny can be cynical and cheating, one is not wrong.
By JpLoyRow2
Il Sorpasso is the highest example of what commedia all’italiana was.
"You don’t drink, you don’t smoke, you don’t even know how to drive a car, but you enjoy life, do you?"
