MovieChat Forums > The Appointment (1969) Discussion > Federico's fatal flaw

Federico's fatal flaw

posted 16 years ago by BlueGreen
7 replies | jump to latest

He meets Carla in the street (after their first meeting, with Renzo, at lunch), she asks him a favour: to go and ask Renzo why had he dismissed her without telling her the reason (a pretty callous and coward thing to do, if you ask me) - and then he goes, talks to Renzo, learns the EXACT reason, but he decides not to tell her.

Some "friend"...!

Now, I can think of a number of reasons for Federico to have acted that way: social coyness, cowardice - but most of all, I think, he wanted to keep her in the dark so he could take advantage of the situation and manipulate her.

Of course, eventually he, too, became a victim of his own despicable silence.

More importantly, though, there would be no film without this initial - and then maintained - failure of communication.

But I think it's a bit tenuous to build an entire film upon this - and remain psychologically credible.

Still, I rather enjoy it, its faults notwithstanding.

Any thoughts? :)

[–] freshspoo 15 years ago

Blue-Green,

I think the failure to communicate is what grabs and holds the audience. We
want so desparately for them to know the truth. How many tragedies in this
world are caused by a lack of communication.

Marge

[–] ratebait 15 years ago

Given how Federico was taken by Carla at first sight, it seemed fairly obvious to me the reason why he withheld Renzo's reason for breaking off the engagement: this was Federico's opportunity to move in on the woman he was so fascinated by. (There is a slight possibility that "social coyness" might have played a part, or more accurately, the gentleman's desire to spare the woman from hurt feelings. And Federico was established as a gentleman. However, since Carla was so distressed, and so in need of an explanation, the true gentleman would have provided the explanation, so I don't believe this motivation entered into the picture.)

Federico's desire to try and get the girl seemed entirely credible to me; I do not consider this to be a "fault" at all.

As far as Renzo's silence, I didn't interpret his refusal to explain as having anything to do with cowardice, while it was certainly heartless. This attitude is reflective of the old world way of thinking, which many Americans can't comprehend. Renzo regarded Carla's dark past as an affront to his dignity, and as a betrayal. His choice to purposely not spend a breath on her fits in with the kind of punishment that comes with such a "macho" mentality.
.

[–] verbumctf 14 years ago

The 'macho' mentality punished both of them.

If he had told Carla Renzo's reason for breaking their engagement, he could not have courted her with a view to marriage.

He had to find the truth without telling her what he was doing.

He couldn't resolve the conflict between his marriage with the woman he adores and his suspicion that she's a whore.

That conflict--the heart of the film-- destroyed Carla and, I think, him too.

Frederico's comments on Mussolini go for him as well: the man with 'high ideals can do great good' but can also be 'destroyed by the betrayal of others'.
It's in this scene he discovers the sympathy of a shared fascism between him and the woman dealer/procurer.
The message here: under the high ideals of this mentality people are covertly exploited and the truth is never clear (as with the procurer's intimations about the lives of the women who prostitute themselves for her).

That's how I interpreted the film when I saw it this afternoon.

[–] BlueGreen 14 years ago

If he had told Carla Renzo's reason for breaking their engagement, he could not have courted her with a view to marriage.

Why not?
I mean, I would understand it if she really were a "whore" (I know a thing or two about the "macho" mentality, believe me...).
But why should it be implicit that Renzo's suspicions were even TRUE, in the first place?
Why not listen to what Carla would have to say in her defence?

[–] fellini812 14 years ago

Or Frederico doesn't think Renzo is a sincere friend? Remember Renzo tries to "size him up" at the beginning in the first restaurant scene by saying "I guess you drive an Alfa with lots of women" and also in the courtroom scene when they are rival lawyers. Frederico may just think Renzo is screwing with his head by saying Carla is a prostitute so he doesn't get the girl. Frederico tries to prove Renzo wrong and hence the tragedy.

[–] BlueGreen 14 years ago

I am THRILLED by your responses.
I had almost lost hope anyone would ever come here or think about this film.

But they deserve more time than I have at the moment, so... I'll get back to you.

Thanks!

[–] bon22 12 years ago

Thank you everyone on this thread. I dvr'd this film from TCM, began watching & felt lost w/in the first 10 minutes. So, went to imbd & read all your posts. You guys really anchored the story for me, without tainting my perspective.

"He had to find the truth without telling her what he was doing.
He couldn't resolve the conflict between his marriage with the woman he adores and his suspicion that she's a whore.
That conflict--the heart of the film-- destroyed Carla and, I think, him too. "

Exactly, verbumctf. However, I was thinking that Fendi could have easily hired a private investigator and had his question answered with much less muss & fuss. So, I also agree with Bluegreen that "it's a bit tenuous to build an entire film upon this".

But, the heart wants what the heart wants & Fendi wanted Carla. The way Fendi randomly encountered Carla 3 times, they seemed fated to be together.

fellini812 wrote:
"Remember Renzo tries to "size him up" at the beginning in the first restaurant scene.....Frederico may just think Renzo is screwing with his head by saying Carla is a prostitute so he doesn't get the girl. Frederico tries to prove Renzo wrong and hence the tragedy."

Great point, fellini812. I watched the film a second time, studying Renzo with this in mind and I agree with you. Later in the film, in the courtroom scene, Renzo says to Frederico "Didn't I see you at Tosca?", Frederico answers "no", but Renzo twists it & makes it sound like Carla was at Tosca with another man, most likely a "john". Yes, Renzo is very manipulative & jealous of Frederico, but Frederico doesn't see that & instead allows himself to be manipulated by Renzo (as well as Lotte Lenya). By allowing Renzo & Lotte Lenya to manipulate him, Frederico ultimately causes Carla to take her own life.

In the second to last scene (after Carla dies), Lotte Lenya calls Frederico & we see the expression on Frederico's face (like a great big "Oooops!"): Frederico knows he's made a terrible mistake & that he is ultimately responsible for Carla's death.