Il Sorpasso
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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The Easy Life (Italian: Il sorpasso) is a 1962 Italian cult movie directed by director Dino Risi. Often considered Risi's masterpiece and one of the most famous examples of Commedia all'italiana film genre and a poignant portrait of Italy in the early 60s when the "economic miracle" (dubbed the "boom" -with the actual English word- by the local media) was starting to transform the country from a traditionally family-centered society into an individualistic, consumerist and shallower one. The soundtrack include Italian 1960s hits such as "Saint Tropez Twist"[1] by Peppino di Capri, "Guarda come dondolo"[2][3] by Edoardo Vianello and "Vecchio frac" by Domenico Modugno.
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Plot
In a hazy, dreamy, sun-baked Rome in an August afternoon timid, precise law student Roberto (Trintignant) is asked by a 40-ish man named Bruno (Gassman) passing under his window at the wheel of a convertible Lancia Aurelia for a trivial favor: a phone call. The young man tells Bruno to come up and make the call himself; after he fails to contact his friends (he's a full hour late for the meeting they had) Bruno insists to repay Roberto's courtesy by offering him a drink. Being tired of studying for the day the young man accepts. Thus begins a cruise along the Via Aurelia (the roman road which also gives the name to Bruno's car) where Roberto is unwilling or unable to part from his casual acquaitance despite having nothing in common with him. Bruno is loud, direct, a bit coarse and a braggart to boot but also charming and likable, Roberto, being his complete opposite, feels drawn to his impulsive and devil-may-care attitude. In two days of high and lows across the coasts of Lazio and Tuscany the two men manage to learn something from each other (Roberto discovers his childhood hasn't been as golden as he always maintained, and finds out about Bruno's failed marriage and young daughter realizing he's not half as carefree as he pretends). Their friendship and male bonding is cut short when, urged by Roberto, Bruno attempts a risky maneuver resulting in an accident. The younger man falls with the car along a rocky cliff, leaving a bloodied and shocked Bruno on the curve's edge, realizing that in the time they spent together he had not even asked him his surname.
Reception
The movie is considered one of the best Commedie all'Italiana ever and a poignant portrait of Italy in the early 60s when the "economic miracle" (dubbed the "boom" -with the actual English word- by the local media) was starting to transform the country from a traditionally family-centered society into an individualistic, consumeristic and shallower one.
Trivia
- Vittorio Gassman drives a Lancia Aurelia B24 sport.
- Alberto Sordi almost starred the film but he had an exclusive contract with Dino De Laurentiis, who did not produce the film.
- Dennis Hopper was inspired by The Easy Life in the making of Easy Rider.
- Risi considered a different ending in which Bruno is killed by Roberto, but it was not shooted for budget reasons.
- In the dramatic ending, Gassman tells the motorway cop that he does not know Trintignant's character surname. In fact Roberto did mention it when introducing himself in his flat, but his timid voice was drowned in Bruno's colorful (and loud) greeting, so probably he did miss it.
Quotes
- Can you dial 1326624 and ask for Marcella? (Bruno's original request to Roberto)
- Tell hell with them! Those idiots! We had to meet at 11 o'clock and by noon they have already left! (Bruno Cortona lamenting his friends' departure after "just" an hour)
- Lifting jack non habemus! Desolamus! (Bruno answering in mock-Latin to three German prelates which asked him for a lifting jack in Latin. Up until to Second Vatican Council it was very common for catholic clergy to use Latin as a langue franche)
- To drive effectively a good position of the hands is paramount! Four Wheels Magazine recommends "twenty to three", I prefer the "quarter to noon" (Bruno, while driving at high speed, keeps shifting his hands on the wheel, unnerving Roberto to no end)
- Who is this big mama? - My mom - Ohboy!...Nice lady!! (Bruno commenting a framed photo at the country house where Roberto spent his childhood).
- From Amalfi...in just two hours and a half? - Yes, I had to stop 10 minutes to have the sparkplugs replaced (Bruno bragging about his driving feats)
- Bibi? What is he, some sort of Cocker Spaniel? (Bruno commenting the nickname of his daughter's boyfriend, a 50ish milanese businessman).
- Plays like a light song while...if you give it some thought, it has everything: solitude, lack of communication...and that other thing people talk so much about...alienation! Like in Antonioni's movies!! (Bruno fancies himself a music critic commenting a song from Domenico Modugno)
- Etruscan Tombs can go and...themselves (Bruno coarsely liquidates Roberto's suggestion to stop and visit an Etruscan necropolis along the way).
- Mount Fumaiolo can go along with the Etruscan Tombs (Bruno torpedoing another suggestion from Roberto).
- We can find a spot for Sofia Loren, right in between Etruscan Tombs and Mount Fumaiolo (Bruno, evidently in love with his recurring bon mot).
Soundtrack
The soundtrack include Italian 1960s hits such as "Saint Tropez Twist" by Peppino di Capri, "Guarda come dondolo" by Edoardo Vianello and "Vecchio frac" by Domenico Modugno.
Awards
- Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists Nastro d'Argento
- Winner: Best Actor (Migliore Attore Protagonista)- Vittorio Gassman
- Mar de Plata Film Festival
- Winner: Best Director- Dino Risi
