MovieChat Forums > L'ingorgo (1988) Discussion > What a Waste!! (SPOILERS)

What a Waste!! (SPOILERS)

posted 16 years ago by damongruber
1 reply | jump to latest

Due to some other's comments, I decided to rent "L'ingorgo", hoping to see a real Italian styled "black comedy", a reflex of the early '50s Cinema d'Autore that left us many jewels, mixed with '70s socio-political satire.

Instead, I had to watch a boring, tedious and even violent piece, filled with excellent actors and actresses, that in the beginning was truly promising, but then became a long, exasperating show, with no specific purpose.

Particularly shocking is the scene of a rape, committed by 3 guys, and witnessed by others who, instead of stopping it by shooting their firearms to the air, discussed if it was worth watching it or not. Well, by the way the film turned, it's a relief the authors didn't choose to make those witnesses participate in the multiple rape.

I didn't understand what Marcello Mastroianni's character meant, or why some things happened without consequences (the rape, the sacking of a truck, some crazy drivers, discussions, etc.).

It didn't seem a "written" movie, but a spaghetti incident of talents mixed up like the traffic jam itself, and left alone with some cameras and microphones open as they moved and talked.

If that was the purpose of this film, then I didn't quite get it like that.

[–] Mr_Wolf_80 12 years ago

Just watched it, so, sorry for the late replay.

The main point of the film is what can happen in an "anomalous" situation, how the brutality and the meanness of the people are revealed.
It comes to my mind, for example, when a earthquake happens, some people become insane, some "take advantage" of it and steal, commit crimes, "feel authorized" to do all they want.

About the rape scene: it's one of the most repellent I have ever watched.
The witnesses don't interfere because, in spite of they all have a gun, they are cowards and, in their words, it's not their business and, moreover, and more revolting, they "enjoy" what they're watching.
I guess the three criminals stay unpunished because the truck driver, who was going to burn their car, eventually gives up, because he doesn't want to become an assassin.
About the sacking: it's simply very hard to stop tens of people hungry.

The point of the scene with Mastroianni is that the guy who gives him hospitality notices his interest in his wife and he's disposed to give her him to get a job.

However, this film is very far away from the typical italian comedy.

I'm Winston Wolf, I solve problems

And no dream is ever... just a dream...