Swept Away (Travolti da un insolito destino nell’azzurro mare d’agosto)
Directed by Lina Wertmüller
Written by Lina Wertmüller
1974/Italy
IMDb page
First viewing/Amazon Prime rental
… these directors who are so in love with success, no matter how great their talent, are ultimately disappointing. This is all part of the crisis. Now, when it comes to the better exponents of this kind of film, I admit I run to see them too. I adore the work of Lucas and Spielberg. I’m certainly not trying to minimize their talents, but I’d love to see what they could do when they aren’t leading us from reality. — Lina Wertmüller
This beautifully crafted and acted film serves as an indictment of the class system and as an odd, perverse love story.
Raffaela (Mariangela Melato), her husband and some friends are the epitome of beautiful people and are currently enjoying a break on their yacht on the Mediterranean. Gennarino Caruncio (Giancarlo Giannini) is a member of the crew. Raffaela has a loud mouth which she runs constantly with complaints about the servants and the lowet classes. Gennarino hates and secretly lusts after Raffaela.
Everyone on board except Raffaela decides to explore the mainland. Late that afternoon she wants to join them there and takes off with Gennarino in a rubber dinghy with a defective motor. When the motor breathes its last they are well and truly lost. Fortunately, Raffaela eventually spies an island.
When the two arrive, Raffaela mistreats and insults Giannarino. The island is uninhabited. The tables turn when it becomes obvious that Raffaela would starve to death without Giannarino. She must work for her keep for the first time in her life. Then Giannarino begins humiliate her with the full force of his pent-up fury and lust. I’ll stop here.
This is a beautiful, powerful film. Giannini continues to amaze in a wide range of parts. But be warned, there are a lot of brutal and intimate arguments, some nudity, and lots of sexy stuff, not all of which is consensual. With that caveat, I recommend the film.
