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I Vitelloni [re-release] 2003
Directed by
Federico Fellini
Made by
Janus Films
Plot Summary
Discover the intricate plot of I Vitelloni [re-release] (2003). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
As summer begins to fade, a torrential downpour disrupts a beauty pageant along the picturesque Adriatic coast. The newly crowned “Miss Mermaid 1953,” Sandra Rubini, becomes distressed and collapses amidst swirling rumors about her possible pregnancy with the notorious womanizer Fausto Moretti. His respectable father, Francesco, pressures him into a hasty marriage. After a sparsely populated mid-class wedding, the couple departs for their honeymoon.
Meanwhile, Fausto’s aimless twenty-something friends flounder about, drifting between empty cafés, dingy pool halls, and bleak strolls on a windswept beach, resorting to juvenile antics. They mock diligent road workers, sheltered in a fancy car they haven’t rightly earned, only to face a formidable beating when the vehicle breaks down.
At the heart of the chaos is Moraldo, Sandra’s brother and the youngest among the five ‘vitelloni.’ He grapples with the discomfort of witnessing Fausto’s infidelities while dreaming of a better life beyond their provincial town. Riccardo, with aspirations to sing and act, and Alberto, a daydreamer reliant on his family, each face their own battles. Alberto feels the weight of his mother’s support while struggling with his sister Olga’s clandestine relationship with a married man. Meanwhile, Leopoldo yearns to be a playwright, seeking feedback from the quirky actor Sergio Natali.
Returning from his honeymoon, Fausto takes a job as a stockroom assistant in a shop run by Michele Curti. However, undeterred by his new responsibilities, Fausto continues his reckless pursuits. At the annual masquerade ball, he’s enchanted by the alluring beauty of Giulia Curti, his boss’s wife. In a comedic twist, Alberto, intoxicated and dressed in drag, performs a bizarre dance at the event, only to return home to discover that Olga has eloped with her married lover.
Fausto’s naive attempts to charm Giulia lead to embarrassment and dismissal by her husband, which provokes him to act irrationally. In retaliation, he pilfers a gilded angel statue from Michele, manipulating Moraldo into his misguided schemes to sell it. Nevertheless, their attempts to offload it are thwarted when both the convent and a monk reject their offers. Eventually, Fausto leaves the statue with a simple-minded villager, who places it on a mound outside his hut.
One fateful night, after a variety show, Leopoldo agrees to take a seaside stroll with Sergio, only to flee in terror when the actor makes an inappropriate advance. In a devastating blow, Sandra flees with their child after learning of Fausto’s infidelity with a variety artist. Joined by Riccardo, Alberto, Leopoldo, and Moraldo, Fausto frantically searches for them, culminating in a confrontation at Francesco’s home where his father punishes him.
Reconciled for the moment, Fausto and Sandra walk home hand in hand, hopeful for their future together. With aspirations of escaping the dreary cycle of their provincial existence, Moraldo departs on a train toward an uncertain future in Rome, contemplating the slumbering lives of his friends who remain trapped in their small-town dream.
Timeline
Track the key events of I Vitelloni [re-release] (2003) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Beauty Pageant Disruption
As summer wanes, a beauty pageant on the Adriatic coast is abruptly interrupted by a torrential downpour. This chaos contributes to the newly crowned 'Miss Mermaid 1953', Sandra Rubini, feeling overwhelmed and collapsing amid swirling rumors about her potential pregnancy.
Fausto's Pressure to Marry
In the wake of the pageant chaos, Fausto Moretti faces immense pressure from his respectable father, Francesco, to marry Sandra. His father insists on a quick marriage, leading the couple to a modest wedding ceremony.
The Honeymoon Begins
After their sparsely attended wedding, Fausto and Sandra embark on their honeymoon. Despite the picturesque backdrop, the couple struggles with the implications of their rushed marriage.
Fausto's Friends' Antics
Meanwhile, Fausto's aimless friends are seen drifting through life, finding solace in empty cafes and dingy pool halls. Engaging in reckless behaviors, they mock road workers from their fancy car, leading to a confrontation that leaves them beaten.
Moraldo's Inner Turmoil
Moraldo, Sandra's younger brother, observes Fausto's destructive behavior and wrestles with his discomfort. He dreams of breaking free from their provincial existence, yearning for a better life.
Alberto's Struggles
Alberto, reliant on his family and burdened by his mother's expectations, grapples with feelings of inadequacy. Meanwhile, he struggles with his sister Olga's secret affair with a married man, complicating family dynamics.
Leopoldo's Aspirations
Aspiring playwright Leopoldo seeks feedback from the eccentric actor Sergio Natali, attempting to carve out his niche in the artistic world. His ambitions highlight the longing for creative fulfillment among the friends.
Fausto's New Job
Upon returning from his honeymoon, Fausto begins working as a stockroom assistant in a local shop owned by Michele Curti. Yet, he quickly becomes distracted by his old habits and reckless lifestyle.
The Masquerade Ball
At the annual masquerade ball, Fausto finds himself enchanted by Giulia Curti, Michele's wife. Meanwhile, Alberto, clad in drag and surprisingly inebriated, captures attention with his wild performance, leading to unexpected consequences.
Fausto's Unfortunate Choices
Fausto's unsuccessful attempts to woo Giulia result in embarrassment and conflict with her husband, prompting irrational decisions. In an act of desperation, Fausto steals a gilded angel statue from Michele and entangles Moraldo in his misguided plans.
Failed Selling Attempts
Fausto and Moraldo try to offload the stolen statue but are thwarted when both a convent and a monk refuse to buy it. Ultimately, they abandon the statue with a simple villager, illustrating their increased disarray.
Leopoldo's Encounter
One night, after a variety show, Leopoldo reluctantly agrees to a stroll with Sergio. His initial trust quickly turns to fear when Sergio makes an inappropriate advance, causing Leopoldo to flee.
Sandra's Heartbreak
The situation reaches a breaking point when Sandra learns of Fausto's infidelity with a variety artist. In a desperate act, she flees with their child, leading to chaos as Fausto, along with his friends, frantically searches for her.
Confrontation at Francesco's Home
Fausto's search culminates in an intense confrontation at his father's home. With emotions running high, Francesco punishes Fausto for his actions, emphasizing the family dynamics and expectations at play.
Moraldo's Departure
In the end, a reconciled Fausto and Sandra hope for a brighter future as they walk home together. Meanwhile, Moraldo decides to leave their small town behind, boarding a train to Rome, representing a break from their stagnant lives.
Characters
Meet the characters that bring I Vitelloni [re-release] (2003) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Fausto Moretti
Fausto is characterized by his charm and reckless behavior, making him both a likable yet deeply flawed protagonist. He grapples with the intense pressures of familial expectations and his own whimsical desires, often leading him to make questionable decisions that affect those around him. Despite his charm, his infidelities reveal a lack of maturity and responsibility.
Moraldo
Moraldo, as Sandra's younger brother and one of the 'vitelloni', portrays the struggle of the dreamer caught in a town filled with unambitious peers. Unlike his friends, he yearns for something greater and shows a sensitivity to the chaos around him. His departure at the film's conclusion symbolizes hope and a desire to break free from the familiar cycle of life in their small town.
Sandra Rubini
Sandra, crowned 'Miss Mermaid 1953', becomes a focal point of Fausto's tumultuous life. Her character embodies the pressures and expectations placed on women, particularly in the context of love and marriage. As a young woman navigating the chaos of her relationship with Fausto, her distress speaks to the broader themes of infidelity and societal scrutiny.
Alberto
Alberto is depicted as a daydreamer, reliant on his family's support while struggling with personal issues, including his sister's affair. He provides comic relief but also highlights themes of ineffectiveness and childish behavior amongst the group of friends. His character's journey reflects the challenges of growing up in a stifling environment.
Leopoldo
Leopoldo is an aspiring playwright trapped in the mundane routine of his small-town life. His yearning for validation and artistic recognition highlights the theme of ambition versus reality. His encounters with other characters illustrate both his aspirations and the fear that accompanies pursuing one's dreams.
Setting
Uncover the settings of I Vitelloni [re-release] (2003), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
1953
Set in the summer of 1953, the film captures a post-war period characterized by social upheaval and changing societal norms in Italy. This era saw a mix of traditional values clashing with the burgeoning modernity, influencing the characters' lives and aspirations. The events unfold during a time when youth culture was beginning to emerge, yet many young people still found themselves trapped in the cycles of their family's expectations.
Location
Adriatic coast, provincial town
The movie unfolds along the beautiful Adriatic coast, known for its stunning beaches and vibrant summer culture. This coastal setting contrasts with the dullness of the provincial town where the characters live, highlighting their desire to escape their mundane lives. The region is known for its picturesque views, but the lifeless atmosphere of the town reflects the stagnation and aimlessness experienced by the young men.
Themes
Explore the core themes of I Vitelloni [re-release] (2003). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
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Yearning for Escape
The theme of escaping small-town life resonates throughout the film as characters grapple with their ambitions versus their current reality. Moraldo's decision to leave for Rome signifies the hope for a better future, embodying the struggles of youth trapped in a stagnant environment. The contrast between dreams and the mundane existence highlights the universal desire for change and opportunity.
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Infidelity
Infidelity is a prevalent theme, illustrated through Fausto's reckless actions and ultimate betrayal of Sandra. His inability to commit and respect his relationship causes turmoil and heartbreak. This theme emphasizes the pain and consequences of betrayal, affecting not just individuals but also their wider social circles.
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