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L’Innocente Blu-ray Review

“L’Innocente” is another Luchino Visconti gem.

Based on Gabriele d’Annunzio’s novel “The Intruder,” 1976’s “L’Innocente” (AKA “The Innocent”) was famed director Luchino Visconti’s last film. In this 19th century period piece set in Italy, the story revolves around an aristocrat named Tullio who is married to Giuliana but is cheating on her with a wealthy widow named Teresa. Eventually, Giuliana cheats on Tullio with a writer named Filippo but the selfish, possessive and hypocritical Tullio doesn’t take kindly to their affair and begins to self-destruct as he attempts to patch things up with his marriage.

It’s a little hard to categorize “L’Innocente” as it starts out as an erotic high society costume melodrama period piece, but becomes a rather dark psychological story about infidelity, marriage, jealousy, and love. It’s a tale of two movies to a certain degree although it all meshes well together as the plot is, after all, heavily about Tullio’s downward spiral. The multi-genre nature of the movie is also appealing as it feels like a breath of fresh air in this genre (especially as someone who doesn’t tend to gravitate towards costume drama period pieces). The warped final half of this Luchino Visconti, Suso Cecchi d‘Amico, and Enrico Medioli scripted tale is particularly engrossing, but I’m not here to give any spoilers. One should experience Visconti’s impressive final work for themselves.

The performances are strong across the board. Sure, there are some over-the-top reaction shots, but they are also strangely effective. Giancarlo Giannini does a fine job directing his character’s descent, Jennifer O’Neill seems to relish having a multi-layered character in Giuliana, and Laura Antonelli makes Teresa her own. 

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 2.35:1 1080p. How does it look? This is a nice print with striking colors, but there are noticeable print defects.

Audio Track: Italian LPCM Mono. How does it sound? A flawed track with scratches and crackles. It still does the job though.

Extras:
* A booklet featuring credits, an essay by author Dan Callahan and photos
* “L’Innocente” trailer and trailers for other Film Movement Classics titles
* “Reframing L’Innocente”- Author Ivo Blom’s video essay on his book, Visconti, and “L’Innocente.”

July 29, 2020 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Film Movement Classics, Italian Cinema, L'Innocente Blu-ray Review, Luchino Visconti, The Innocent Blu-ray Review