![Marriage Italian Style (Sophia Loren Award Collection) [Blu-ray] (1964)](/wp_content/uploads/2011/06/51taic_nRsL._SL500_AA300__150x150.jpg "Marriage Italian Style (Sophia Loren Award Collection) [Blu-ray] (1964)")
MARRIAGE ITALIAN STYLE (1964, Blu-ray released May 17, 2011 – MSRP $39.95)
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Kino recently released on Blu-ray a trio of classic collaborations between actors Marcello Mastroianni and Sophia Loren and director Vittorio De Sica (Bicycle Thieves, Umberto D.) Marriage Italian Style followed directly on the heels of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow and, while not quite as funny, sexy or critically acclaimed, it is a true classic.
- “One of the most famous, and funniest, Italian comedies of all time, Marriage Italian Style received nominations for Best Foreign Film, and Best Actress for Sophia Loren, at the Academy Awards. Marcello Mastroianni co-stars as the irrepressibly carnal businessman Domenico, who discovers Loren’s Filumena as a young prostitute and keeps her as his mistress and confidante. When he chooses to marry a young cashier instead of her, Filumena is furious, and resorts to a series of wild and hilarious ruses to win back his hand. Directed by the great Vittorio De Sica (The Bicycle Thief), Marriage Italian Style is a timelessly bawdy classic.“
De Sica crafted Marriage Italian Style from the famous Eduardo De Filippo play, Filumena Marturano (well, famous in Italy, that is.) So, when audiences stormed theatres upon the films release in 1964, they knew what they were in for – a story they were familiar with, starring a couple of their most electric, attractive performers directed by one of the most influential talents in Italian film. It was kind of a given that the movie would be a hit. But thankfully, its appeal transcends time and culture. This is a great film with broad appeal and comedy and drama that plays well, even today. Though it’s clear that De Sica is a master of his trade and that Mastroianni’s performance keeps the film grounded, it’s Loren who, once again, steals the show. She simply is Filumena Marturano, from age 17 to 40-something, from rags to somewhat-riches, prostitute to mother and wife. It’s a bravura performance without a whiff of self-consciousness. One of her finest, in a long career of stellar performances. Outstanding and well worthy of her Oscar nomination.
Kino‘s Blu-ray transfer of Marriage Italian Style is film-like and detailed, affording the film its best presentation on home video to date. But the source material isn’t in the best shape and is crying out for a proper, full (and no doubt costly) restoration. You’ll see white flecks, the occasional damage, colour shifting and a line that runs down the image for a substantial portion of the run-time (to be fair, it’s barely noticeable and I suspect some clean-up has been attempted there.) No digital tampering is present to mar the image, allowing for a pleasurable viewing experience. Audio is clean and clear in a Dolby TrueHD 1.0 track that proves relatively dynamic for its age.
Sadly, there aren’t many bonus goodies of which to speak of on the Blu-ray. Only a Theatrical Promo of nearly 4-minutes length, a stills gallery and trailers for the other discs in the Sophia Loren Award Collection.
Despite the lack of special features and a print that’s far from pristine, this is an honest, enjoyable Blu-ray presentation of a wonderful, must-see film. Recommended!
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