“Divorce? Impossible. But murder… that’s understandable.”
synopsis
In small-town Sicily, bored aristocrat Ferdinando Cefalù is desperate to rid himself of his clingy wife so he can marry his teenage cousin. Divorce is illegal, but “honor killings” receive lighter sentences. So Ferdinando begins scheming to manufacture a crime of passion that will set him free. His internal monologue guides us through increasingly ridiculous fantasies of murder, scandal, and self-justification.
pairs well with ...
mini-review
This is family chaos with fangs. The film skewers hypocrisy, patriarchy, and Catholic moral loopholes with delicious precision. Mastroianni is charming and morally bankrupt at the same time, which is exactly the point. It’s dark, elegant satire disguised as romantic farce. Beneath the laughs is a sharp indictment of a culture that sanctifies family while quietly tolerating absurd injustice.
A late evening when you’re feeling intellectually mischievous and slightly wicked.
Absurdist's Corner
The legal system basically says: paperwork is immoral, homicide is negotiable.
fun facts
Won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
Helped change Italian public discussion about divorce laws.
Mastroianni became an international star largely due to this role.