Seduced and Abandoned (Sedotta e abbandonata)
Directed by Pietro Germi
Written by Agenore Incrocci, Furio Scarpelli, Pietro Germi, and Luciano Vencenzoni
1964/Italy/France
Repeat viewing/Netflix rental
[box] Il maresciallo Polenza: [looks at a map of Italy, then covers Sicily with his hands] Better! Much better![/box]
The setting is Sicily Don Vincenzo Ascalone (Saro Urzi) is the undisputed ruler of his family of a wife and four daughters. He believes 100% in Sicilian machismo and honor. His daughter, the plump, mild Matilde, is engaged to Peppino, who is studying for a civil service job. But Peppino has eyes for hot-blooded, beautiful Agnese (Stefania Sandrelli, Divorce Italian Style). He catches her in a weak moment and impregnates her. After much commotion, he refuses to marry Agnese because she is not a virgin. The fact that he took her virginity makes no difference to him.
The rest of the move is one comic scene after another as Don Vincenzo storms like a bull in a china shop wavering between what he wants more – a wedding or vengence. Before long, the law and later the whole village have their say.
Anyone who loves Divorce, Italian-style should enjoy this movie. Germi takes the foibles of traditional Sicilian society even further in this one. The film is laugh-out-loud funny though I think it could have benefitted from some tightening. Recommended.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QJpR__EY0M\
Trailer
