Divorce Italian Style(Divorzio all'italiana)

Antoine Corbani

One of the funniest movies I've ever seen, and most likely my favorite comedy. A vision that is so ahead of its time. Mastroianni is supreme, and the writing is excellent, covered in deep cynicism and timeless humor. The synopsis plants the seed for its very effective (and still very relevant) criticism of the relationship between Catholic social norms, its influence and resulting hypocrisy, and Italy's legal system (and, by extension, any country with a significant Catholic influence). More broadly, of course, Germi seeks to criticize the prevalence of machismo and patriarchal hegemonies in European societies and their controversial (if not detrimental) impacts on subsequent legal matters and social life. This film is certainly the most effective gateway introduction to Pietro Germi’s other works, which are heavily coated in like-minded social commentary and explore Italian taboos and other uncomfortable cultural-political discussions. An extremely clever classic of Italian comedy and satire, full of twists and an analysis of the politics of gender and European patriarchies that has aged like fine Tuscan wine.