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Divorce Italian Style

Released 1962
Runtime 104
Language Italian
Director Pietro Germi

What it’s about

Sicilian nobleman Ferdinand “Fefé” Cefalu (Mastroianni) desperately wants to desert his mewling, sex-crazed wife, Rosalia (Rocca), since he's burning to wed his innocent but luscious 16-year-old cousin Angela (Sandrelli). But divorce is out of the question, so the only way to rid himself of Rosalia is to murder her in a fit of jealous rage, which a wronged husband to get off for (then) in Italy. But how in the world can Fefé make Rosalia attractive to a potential cuckold?

Why we love it

Germi's wry, black-comedic satire on Italy's outmoded marital laws and culture of machismo was a triumph for the writer-director and his leading man, both of whom picked up Oscar nods. Mastroianni, delivering one of his finest comedic performances, carries the film from first frame to last, almost Keaton-esque in his deadpan mannerisms. Originally conceived as a hard-hitting drama (Germi's specialty at the time), “Divorce” delves right into the issue at hand — women — with a devilish, socially biting sense of humor, such as the farcical fantasy sequences where Fefé imagines offing Rosalia in inventive ways. If “Divorce” was always this much fun, who'd be married?

Marcello Mastroianni, Daniela Rocca, Stefania Sandrelli Pietro Germi

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