Give him credit for a 'history' film
Did the amateur performances bother any one else? And all those close-ups on unexpressive faces. O.K., we were looking at ordinary people--with a lot of bad teeth (it is the Middle Ages).
Well, I always appreciate a film that takes you to another time and era, so I was happy to look at the costumes, the city, the gardens--the general feel of the era (though the threat of death, which was great in this era, could have been more brought out). It was a mostly happy movie, dealing mostly with sexual peccadillos. Crudely done, but I got the points. Give the man credit for doing what others do not.
The story that was most poignant and meaningful to me was the one about the sister whose brothers kill her lover. At least that one had some complexity and depth, dealing as it did with the limitations put on women, class differences, and a sensuous and deep-felt love. The actress who played the sister was quite lovely, and for once some real drama was involved.
The fresco painting in the church was also intriguing--particularly because Pasonlini played the master painter himself.
Even with its lackings (my rating - 6/10), I do recommend it.