2013:
Getting in from work,I noticed my dad watching a documentary on TV called Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession.Catching the final section of the movie,I spotted a clip for what looked like a wonderfully stylish title The Wifemistress.Searching round online for the movie,I was disappointed to find that apart from a expensive dubbed Video edition,there appeared to be no DVD,affordable Video,or online site which featured the film.
2015:
After giving up on ever seeing the movie,I decided to try one more time by asking a DVD seller if he had the title.Expecting to be disappointed,I was caught completely by surprise,when he revealed that he had recently got hold of an Eng Subs version,which led to me getting ready to finally meet the wifemistress.
The plot-
Veneto-1912:
Since being called rigid by her husband on their wedding night, Antonia De Angelis has suffered from a mental illness which has left her bed stricken.Despite his wife having a serious illness, businessman and wine seller Luigi De Angelis tries to see as little of Angelis as possible, by spending all of his time travelling round visiting his clients.Owed some cash by a client, Luigi decides to visit the man,who he is horrified to discover has just been brutally murdered.
Collecting his cash (what a gent!) Luigi heads for the front door but is stopped in his tracks by a young girl who calls him the murderer.Pushing the girl aside,Luigi suffers a deep cut from a near-by sharp object as he escapes from the murder scene.Fearing that the murder charge will be put on him,Luigi decides to go into hiding.With Luigi no longer being around to berate her,Antonia begins to develop a growing confidence,which leads to Antonia taking her first step out of the bed.With all her Luigi's business affairs being left up in the air,Antonia decides to take matters into her own hands,by personally inspecting each of the businesses,which leads to Antonia discovering what type of "business" actives Luigi has secretly been up to.
View on the film:
In the opening 10 minutes,co-writer/(along with Rodolfo Sonego) director Marco Vicario makes the film look like it is going to be a traditional, reserved costume Drama.Uncovering flesh in a surprisingly kinky sex scene,Vicario and cinematographer Ennio Guarnieri reveal that looks can be deceiving,as the movie explores the sexual power play of the era. Closely following the changing emotions casts across Antonia's face,Vicario uses superb crane shots to display the wealth that Luigi has kept hidden from Antonia.Keeping Luigi hidden in a gloomy safe house,Vicario gives the film an extraordinary water colour appearance,as light browns are buried in Luigi's businesses,whilst Antonia is draped in smooth yellows,as she starts to experience real riches in her life.
Backed by a charming score from Armando Trovajoli,the writers delicately transform the relationship between Luigi & Antonia,with Luigi going into hiding representing the "hidden" life he has been living,which is counted by the open,confident manner that Antonia treats the new joys in her life with.Sending Antonia to each of her Luigi's businesses,the writers give the title a fantastic episodic backdrop,thanks to each business allowing Antonia to uncover a new location, (from a wine bar to a brothel!) and also to add a new string to her bow of life.
Avoiding the easy option of showing him as a complete scumbag, Marcello Mastroianni brilliantly drains Luigi of all of his self righteous,ego-tripping,to uncover a raw, biting at nails fear over Antonia's increasing masculine dominance.Looking absolutely stunning (even when stuck in bed!) Laura Antonelli (who sadly passed away a few weeks ago)gives an amazing performance as Antonia,with Antonelli expressing all of Antonia's changes entirely with her body language,as Antonia's stilted behaviour with Luigi is smashed with a brash confidence and striking sexuality,as Antonia reveals that she is no wifemistress.
Getting in from work,I noticed my dad watching a documentary on TV called Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession.Catching the final section of the movie,I spotted a clip for what looked like a wonderfully stylish title The Wifemistress.Searching round online for the movie,I was disappointed to find that apart from a expensive dubbed Video edition,there appeared to be no DVD,affordable Video,or online site which featured the film.
2015:
After giving up on ever seeing the movie,I decided to try one more time by asking a DVD seller if he had the title.Expecting to be disappointed,I was caught completely by surprise,when he revealed that he had recently got hold of an Eng Subs version,which led to me getting ready to finally meet the wifemistress.
The plot-
Veneto-1912:
Since being called rigid by her husband on their wedding night, Antonia De Angelis has suffered from a mental illness which has left her bed stricken.Despite his wife having a serious illness, businessman and wine seller Luigi De Angelis tries to see as little of Angelis as possible, by spending all of his time travelling round visiting his clients.Owed some cash by a client, Luigi decides to visit the man,who he is horrified to discover has just been brutally murdered.
Collecting his cash (what a gent!) Luigi heads for the front door but is stopped in his tracks by a young girl who calls him the murderer.Pushing the girl aside,Luigi suffers a deep cut from a near-by sharp object as he escapes from the murder scene.Fearing that the murder charge will be put on him,Luigi decides to go into hiding.With Luigi no longer being around to berate her,Antonia begins to develop a growing confidence,which leads to Antonia taking her first step out of the bed.With all her Luigi's business affairs being left up in the air,Antonia decides to take matters into her own hands,by personally inspecting each of the businesses,which leads to Antonia discovering what type of "business" actives Luigi has secretly been up to.
View on the film:
In the opening 10 minutes,co-writer/(along with Rodolfo Sonego) director Marco Vicario makes the film look like it is going to be a traditional, reserved costume Drama.Uncovering flesh in a surprisingly kinky sex scene,Vicario and cinematographer Ennio Guarnieri reveal that looks can be deceiving,as the movie explores the sexual power play of the era. Closely following the changing emotions casts across Antonia's face,Vicario uses superb crane shots to display the wealth that Luigi has kept hidden from Antonia.Keeping Luigi hidden in a gloomy safe house,Vicario gives the film an extraordinary water colour appearance,as light browns are buried in Luigi's businesses,whilst Antonia is draped in smooth yellows,as she starts to experience real riches in her life.
Backed by a charming score from Armando Trovajoli,the writers delicately transform the relationship between Luigi & Antonia,with Luigi going into hiding representing the "hidden" life he has been living,which is counted by the open,confident manner that Antonia treats the new joys in her life with.Sending Antonia to each of her Luigi's businesses,the writers give the title a fantastic episodic backdrop,thanks to each business allowing Antonia to uncover a new location, (from a wine bar to a brothel!) and also to add a new string to her bow of life.
Avoiding the easy option of showing him as a complete scumbag, Marcello Mastroianni brilliantly drains Luigi of all of his self righteous,ego-tripping,to uncover a raw, biting at nails fear over Antonia's increasing masculine dominance.Looking absolutely stunning (even when stuck in bed!) Laura Antonelli (who sadly passed away a few weeks ago)gives an amazing performance as Antonia,with Antonelli expressing all of Antonia's changes entirely with her body language,as Antonia's stilted behaviour with Luigi is smashed with a brash confidence and striking sexuality,as Antonia reveals that she is no wifemistress.