Concorrenza sleale

Concorrenza sleale (2001), directed by Ettore Scola, presents a compelling historical drama set against the backdrop of Italy during the racial laws of the 1930s. The film tells the story of two textile traders, played by Diego Abatantuono and Sergio Castellitto, who run shops next to each other and engage in a bitter rivalry for supremacy in business. The stakes are high, as the story unfolds during a period of deep social and political upheaval, highlighting the tensions between personal ambition and the harsh realities of a society marked by racial discrimination.

The film's central themes of competition and moral dilemmas are effectively conveyed, and the performances by the leads are solid. Abatantuono and Castellitto bring depth to their characters, portraying two men caught between their personal ambitions and the societal forces that shape their lives. Gérard Depardieu adds an intriguing layer to the story, further enriching the dynamic of the narrative. The contrast between the two main characters is compelling, with their rivalry serving as a microcosm for the broader social tensions at play during the period.

Scola's direction is insightful, but the pacing of the film can feel uneven at times. The narrative takes its time to unfold, allowing for character development and historical context, but some moments feel overly drawn out or lacking in emotional payoff. While the film successfully highlights the human cost of prejudice and the ethical choices people make in the face of injustice, its exploration of these themes occasionally falls short in terms of emotional depth and resonance.

Visually, the film captures the historical period effectively, with set designs and costumes that evoke the era without feeling forced. The atmosphere is authentic, and the social tensions of the time are well represented, though at times, the story's focus on the rivalry between the two traders leaves the larger political and social context underexplored.

Concorrenza sleale is a thought-provoking film with strong performances and a poignant message, but its uneven pacing and occasional lack of emotional depth prevent it from being a truly impactful cinematic experience. It offers a valuable glimpse into a difficult period in history but doesn't quite deliver on the full emotional potential of its premise.

Rating: 6/10. A solid film with strong performances and an important message, but its uneven pacing and underdeveloped emotional core prevent it from reaching its full potential.

The new Scola's movie shows the dramatic life of a group of Jew people during the Italian Fascism. It shows the great difficulties of living in Italy for a Jew retailer and his family after the enforcement of Racial Laws in 1938. It shows the friendship among a Catholic Italian (Abatantuono) and a Jew one (Castellitto).

I liked the movie very much, it is perfectly acted by Diego Abatantuono and Sergio Castellitto and Gerard Depardieu in a little role as Abatantuono's brother.

In spite of the plot, that is not very original, the film tells with efficiency about the human tragedies of those years. It remembers us once again how much cruel can be the discrimination.

And we all have to remember it, especially now.

I went to see this because I absolutely loved Una giornata particolare (starring among others Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni, Ettore Scola's other movie about the enforcement of racial laws in Italy in 1938. Concorrenza SLeale is not as good, showing some great points but somehow lacking "a glue" that keeps it all together; maybe the movie should have concentrated a little bit less on the daily life of the two families, although this is probably the only way to tell such a story. all the actors are great, the kids, the elderly, Castellitto and Abatantuono and (of course) Depardieu, with a special mention for Sabrina Impacciatore (the shop assistant) and Emanuele Salce as the weird guy hired by Abatantuono. still on the good points, the historical reconstruction is great: a street with *real* homes was built in cinecitta', and all the props are from the right period, from ad posters to a technical drawing-table; unfortunately this does not apply to the dialogues, which are a little bit too informal, even inside a family, for 1938 Italy.

All in all, one to see, but first enjoy "Una giornata particolare", you won't regret it.

Very nice to see that this kind of movies are still made. The story shows us the affect the totalitarism has for people unable or too lazy to think themselves. The development of friendship of two small boys show us clearly how stupid and childish are all the reasons for racism.