The Italian film Cronaca di un amore (1950) was shown in the U.S. with the translated title Story of a Love Affair. It was co-written and directed by Michelangelo Antonioni.
Even in 1950, Antonioni was an amazing director. Of course, 70 years later, the movie looks old-fashioned. However, the direction is so deft and surehanded that the film doesn't look like a director's first effort. It looks like the work of a seasoned professional.
Antonioni worked during the era of Italian Neorealism, but this movie looks more like film noir. It's not about poor people. In fact, it's about the life of the ultra-rich.
One bonus about filming the ultra-rich is that you have the opportunity to display the extremes of high fashion that people of that class would wear. 1950 high fashion was fabulous. The costumes were designed by Ferdinando Sarmi, and Sarmi knew what he was doing. This may be my first mention of a costume designer in any of my reviews, but Sarmi needs to be recognized.
This was only the second film of the star, Lucia Bosé. Bosé became a noted Italian actress during the 1950's. She is very believable in her role of a spoiled trophy wife. (Actually, in real life, she was a trophy wife. I don't know if she was spoiled.)
Bosé had an enigmatic, unique beauty that is hard to describe but is immediately apparent when she's on screen. She also knew how to act. Excellent combination.
Massimo Girotti plays Guido, who is supposed to be every woman's dream lover. I didn't see it. He was handsome enough, but nothing special. His acting was wooden, and I thought that he brought the movie down every time he was on screen. I guess no director can accomplish perfect casting.
We saw this movie on NoShame DVD. On this DVD you can watch the film in dubbed English, or in the original Italian with U.S. subtitles. I recommend the Italian version. (NoShame also provides many specials on a second DVD.)
Cronaca de un Amore has a modest IMDb rating of 7.1. I think it's much better than that, and rated it 9.
Even in 1950, Antonioni was an amazing director. Of course, 70 years later, the movie looks old-fashioned. However, the direction is so deft and surehanded that the film doesn't look like a director's first effort. It looks like the work of a seasoned professional.
Antonioni worked during the era of Italian Neorealism, but this movie looks more like film noir. It's not about poor people. In fact, it's about the life of the ultra-rich.
One bonus about filming the ultra-rich is that you have the opportunity to display the extremes of high fashion that people of that class would wear. 1950 high fashion was fabulous. The costumes were designed by Ferdinando Sarmi, and Sarmi knew what he was doing. This may be my first mention of a costume designer in any of my reviews, but Sarmi needs to be recognized.
This was only the second film of the star, Lucia Bosé. Bosé became a noted Italian actress during the 1950's. She is very believable in her role of a spoiled trophy wife. (Actually, in real life, she was a trophy wife. I don't know if she was spoiled.)
Bosé had an enigmatic, unique beauty that is hard to describe but is immediately apparent when she's on screen. She also knew how to act. Excellent combination.
Massimo Girotti plays Guido, who is supposed to be every woman's dream lover. I didn't see it. He was handsome enough, but nothing special. His acting was wooden, and I thought that he brought the movie down every time he was on screen. I guess no director can accomplish perfect casting.
We saw this movie on NoShame DVD. On this DVD you can watch the film in dubbed English, or in the original Italian with U.S. subtitles. I recommend the Italian version. (NoShame also provides many specials on a second DVD.)
Cronaca de un Amore has a modest IMDb rating of 7.1. I think it's much better than that, and rated it 9.