MovieChat Forums > Il giardino dei Finzi Contini (1971) Discussion > Micol--Alberto relationship (spoilers)

Micol--Alberto relationship (spoilers)

posted 8 years ago by eyeforbeauty
2 replies | jump to latest

We are meant to believe that the relationship between Micol and Alberto has an overtly incestuous element, aren't we?

(Sorry if the answer to this question seems obvious in light of the scene of the two of them in the cabana.)

And this would help account for the problem Micol has developing romantic/sexual feelings for Giorgio--i.e., she's got a precedent in her life of an amorous attachment that is flawed and defective because it's with a brother figure?

(She tells Giorgio that romance/sex with him would be like "making love to a brother".)

[–] to-071322 7 years ago

I always thought the movie hinted at a somewhat incestuous relationship between Micol and Alberto, the two beautiful siblings. I don't recall that being the case in the book though. It's hard to tell though since I read it so long ago.

[–] agentalbert (2320) 2 years ago

Interesting. Not sure I saw enough to make me think there was an incestuous relationship between her and her brother. If she were okay with that, why would she be repulsed by the idea of being with Giorgio? Alberto seems so passive, if there WERE anything between the two, it would have to have been initiated by Micol herself. So again, if that were the case, why would she be the least reticent to have the same with Giorgio?

In any case, I think it's a reach to glean that kind of relationship between her and her brother from what we see. I think she just doesn't have any physical attraction to him, and he's completely in the "friend zone". Despite what she says to Malnate early in the movie about why she has no interest in him, she goes for the tall, strapping stud boy in the end.