Vitaliano Brancati's masterpiece, 'Beautiful Antonio', is a persiflage of the Italian society in the first half of the 20th century with its family honor, macho culture, mixture of fortune / marriage / brothel affairs, the omnipresent influence of the Catholic Church and its political arm (fascism). For L. Sciascia, the book depicts the 'misfortune of living under a despotism' ('To sleep only with one eye' - Introduction to the Complete Works of V. Brancati).
The scriptwriters of the movie (M. Bolognini, P. Pasolini, G. Visentini) betrayed the meaning of Brancati's book. They wanted to show that not the Italian society as a whole is sterile and hypocritical, but only its bourgeoisie. Only the working class (the proletariat), in the person of a maid, can ensure the future of the country.
The movie doesn't have the same high standard of the book. V. Brancati's text is much more explicit in describing the political, social and religious context as well as the sexual affairs. The supporting characters are much more developed. The tirades, especially those by the father, are much more outspoken and incisive. In contrast, the movie is too meek and too linear, while the actors, Marcelo Mastroianni and Claudia Cardinale, only shine through their photogenic appeal.
The scriptwriters of the movie (M. Bolognini, P. Pasolini, G. Visentini) betrayed the meaning of Brancati's book. They wanted to show that not the Italian society as a whole is sterile and hypocritical, but only its bourgeoisie. Only the working class (the proletariat), in the person of a maid, can ensure the future of the country.
The movie doesn't have the same high standard of the book. V. Brancati's text is much more explicit in describing the political, social and religious context as well as the sexual affairs. The supporting characters are much more developed. The tirades, especially those by the father, are much more outspoken and incisive. In contrast, the movie is too meek and too linear, while the actors, Marcelo Mastroianni and Claudia Cardinale, only shine through their photogenic appeal.