Really unfortunate that a director of Antonio Pietrangeli's quality had to die at the young age of 49. He looked set for even greater successes than LA VISITA (THE VISIT), ADUA E LE COMPAGNE, LA PARMIGIANA, among others.
He extracts a peerless performance from François Périer, as a solitary and selfish librarian called Adolfo who puts on a front of civility but is in fact a liar, a drunkard, a glutton, a user of others and a cheat, along with many other downsides to his character, all of which slowly emerge layer after layer.
Sandra Milo also delivers a top performance as the provincial Pina with Bushwoman-like buttocks but, in contrast with Adolfo, a sense of propriety that far surpasses his city (Rome) veneer.
Terrific show from Gastone Moschin, too, as the truck driver who Pina sees and loves, but has no hope of marrying because he is married and has kids. Eight years later, Moschin would deliver an equally short but memorable performance as Don Fanucci in GODFATHER II.
Very appropriate musical background, observant script brimming with details about the differences of city and countryside life, rich and poor, love and lust. Wonderful short sequence where two nuns laugh at Pina but promptly put on serious countenances when Pina returns... all without a spoken word, suggesting that Pina is far more intelligent than her country bckground might suggest.
This is a very honest film, right down to the final sequence.
Definite must-see. 9/10.
