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Une vie difficile

Original title: Una vita difficile
  • 1961
  • Tous publics
  • 1h 58m
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
2.4K
YOUR RATING
Une vie difficile (1961)
Trailer for the new 4K restoration of Dino Risi's UNA VITA DIFFICILE, starring Alberto Sordi and Lea Massari. Never before released in the USA!
Play trailer2:15
1 Video
36 Photos
ComedyDramaWar

Silvio refuses to fight for the fascists and joins the resistance with Elena. After the war, his vitriolic newspaper articles cause him to be sentenced to imprisonment.Silvio refuses to fight for the fascists and joins the resistance with Elena. After the war, his vitriolic newspaper articles cause him to be sentenced to imprisonment.Silvio refuses to fight for the fascists and joins the resistance with Elena. After the war, his vitriolic newspaper articles cause him to be sentenced to imprisonment.

  • Director
    • Dino Risi
  • Writer
    • Rodolfo Sonego
  • Stars
    • Alberto Sordi
    • Lea Massari
    • Franco Fabrizi
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.0/10
    2.4K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Dino Risi
    • Writer
      • Rodolfo Sonego
    • Stars
      • Alberto Sordi
      • Lea Massari
      • Franco Fabrizi
    • 11User reviews
    • 11Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 3 nominations total

    Videos1

    Una Vita Difficile - Rialto Pictures Trailer
    Trailer 2:15
    Una Vita Difficile - Rialto Pictures Trailer

    Photos35

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    Top cast37

    Edit
    Alberto Sordi
    Alberto Sordi
    • Silvio Magnozzi
    Lea Massari
    Lea Massari
    • Elena Pavinato
    Franco Fabrizi
    Franco Fabrizi
    • Franco Simonini
    Lina Volonghi
    • Amalia Pavinato - madre di Elena
    Claudio Gora
    Claudio Gora
    • Commendatore Bracci
    Antonio Centa
    Antonio Centa
    • Carlo - l'amico di Elena
    Mino Doro
    Mino Doro
    • Gino 'Ragana' - proprietario del night club
    Daniele Vargas
    Daniele Vargas
    • Marchese Capperoni
    Loredana Nusciak
    Loredana Nusciak
    • Giovanna - amica di Elena
    • (as Loredana Cappelletti)
    Borante Domizlaff
    • Il soldato tedesco ucciso da Elena
    Edith Peters
    • Self
    • (as Edith Catalano Peters)
    Valeria Manganelli
    Paolino Vanni
    • Paolino Magnozzi
    Bruna Perego
    Alfonsina Cetti
    Piera Pichi
    Carlo Kechler
    • Rustichelli - aristocrato
    • (as Carlo Kecler)
    Nina Hohenlohe-Oehringen
    • Ospite in palazzo Rustichelli
    • (as Nina Honenlohe Oehringen)
    • Director
      • Dino Risi
    • Writer
      • Rodolfo Sonego
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews11

    8.02.4K
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    Featured reviews

    9palmiro

    Much Neglected Gem from the Italian Golden Age of Cinema

    In this heart-wrenching comedy directed by Italian cinema giant Dino Risi, Silvio Magnozzi's "difficult life" follows the trajectory of Italy from the proud moments of the Resistance movement's struggle against Nazi occupation to post-war domination by wealth and privilege. Magnozzi, a writer and journalist played by Alberto Sordi, does not give up the dream of an alternate future to capitalism and the extreme inequalities it engenders. He meets Elena, the love of his life, while he is fighting the Nazis; but after the war she is torn between his dreams and the petty social- climbing schemes of her mother. So while Magnozzi refuses to sell out, choosing to defy the fat cats and to write truthfully, Elena waivers.

    The film is often classified with the New Italian Comedy, a genre that emerged from the hard-hitting political narratives of Italian Neo-realism and retained their critical edge while softening it with humor. "A Difficult Life" has a bitter tone compared to most of the films of the period; even in many very funny scenes the anger and defiance are never dispelled, and Magnozzi pays a heavy price for his heroism.

    Sordi's performance is brilliant (Italians refer to him as "Albertone", perhaps best translated as "Albert the Great"). In his portrayal of the clown as hero, every gesture is meaningful and touching. Lea Massari, one of the great Italian divas of the period, also has a stand-out performance--and the supporting cast (including Claudio Gora as the boorish multi-millionaire) never misses a beat. The period details— from the newsreel footage to the flashy cars, beach parties, and fur coats of the post-war boom-- are handled expertly. A must-see for any lover of Italian cinema. '
    6ricardojorgeramalho

    Light

    A film that aims to give a critical image of post-war Italy. A society sold on the values of consumerism, capitalism and corruption, completely forgetting the revolutionary dream of those who fought against fascism. Silvio Magnozzi, the character played by Alberto Sordi, is precisely the symbol of these communist fighters, who do not want to surrender to the economic miracle of the bourgeois nouveau riche and, for this very reason, have a difficult life, without money and without family. It is an Italy that has forgotten its values and lives only on appearances and trivialities.

    The message is interesting, but the content is superficial. Alberto Sordi is not very convincing as a revolutionary. Nor does his character show great ideological convictions, lost between his love for his wife and the revolution and constantly surrendering to alcohol.

    As a social critique, the film falls short. As a comedy or family drama, it completely fails.

    It is certainly not one of the best moments in cinema, neither by Sordi nor by Risi.
    7kleita

    like Italian lazy romantic atmosphere? this one is for you!

    I'd say that it is the most Italian movie I've seen in my whole life (and yes I have seen a lots of them). The keyword is LAZY.

    OK, there are a lot of things happening around the characters of the movie- the time is WWII. of course it was a hard time for Italians- Germans occupying Rome etc it isn't that they don't care about them. They do. anyway they don't do anything special, revolutional or hysterical. They just enjoy the life. maybe it wasn't the main idea of Dino Risi when he was making the film but is the main idea for me.

    Perhaps I like it so much just cause for the first time I saw different Alberto Sordi- not that kind of crazy and stupid, and greedy man who all the time is jumping around and eating pasta and telling far-from-clever jokes to far-from-sexy and hysterical women. Maybe it is because first time in my life I heard the Italian hymn (Fratelli d'italia) used as a background in a movie and it didn't sound neither officious nor impertinent. Perhaps it is because of the atmosphere that is so lazy and romantic- the conversation scene in the bed in a lodge placed in the middle of the forest between Silvio and the young girl while his friends partisans were 'playing with the guns' outside. This is the way I saw Italy for the last time I was there. It was in autumn. Don't get me wrong- the events aren't taking place in autumn. It's just about the atmosphere.

    I will lie if I say that this is a very important relating the history of civilization film. It isn't. It doesn't solve any psychological or political problems neither. Maybe it is more for those who are excited with Italy for the right reasons but don't live there yet/anymore.
    10Queenfan

    A very beautiful movie

    This movie is really beautiful: it shows the life of a medium italian, this kind of italian is performed by Alberto Sordi, and he is always very good to make this parts. You can laugh very much with this film, as in every Alberto Sordi film.
    1matei-87517

    A difficult life

    "A Difficult Life" (1961) stands as a poignant exploration of the everyday struggles and quiet resilience of ordinary people navigating the rapidly changing landscape of post-war Italy. The film weaves together moments of humor and heartbreak to create a narrative that is as socially incisive as it is emotionally resonant. Set against a backdrop of economic recovery and shifting societal norms, the story follows a man caught between the remnants of old-world traditions and the burgeoning modern era-a journey that is both deeply personal and reflective of the broader human condition.

    From the very first scene, the director invites us into a world where every small victory is hard-won, and every setback serves as a reminder of the relentless passage of time. The protagonist, portrayed with remarkable nuance, is a man of quiet determination, whose life is punctuated by the challenges of maintaining dignity amid economic hardship and personal loss. His journey, marked by moments of self-discovery and unexpected levity, embodies the struggle to reconcile one's ambitions with the weight of societal expectations. This central performance is both understated and compelling, drawing the viewer into the intimate portrayal of a life that is, at once, uniquely individual and universally recognizable.

    The screenplay of "A Difficult Life" is a masterclass in balancing satire with somber reflection. The dialogue is sharply written, capturing the wry humor that emerges in the face of adversity without diminishing the underlying gravity of the characters' circumstances. Each interaction-from family disputes to fleeting encounters with neighbors-resonates with authenticity, painting a vivid picture of a community grappling with its collective identity. The film's narrative structure, which shifts seamlessly between moments of comic relief and introspective melancholy, mirrors the unpredictable cadence of real life, where joy and sorrow often coexist in delicate equilibrium.

    Visually, the film is a celebration of its time and place. The cinematography employs natural light and carefully chosen settings to evoke the texture of everyday life in post-war Italy. Urban streets, modest homes, and bustling marketplaces are captured with a documentary-like realism that not only grounds the film in its historical context but also highlights the inherent beauty in ordinary scenes. This visual authenticity is further enhanced by the film's muted color palette, which reflects both the austerity of the era and the nuanced spectrum of human emotion.

    The music and sound design in "A Difficult Life" play an equally important role in building its immersive atmosphere. A subtly melancholic score underlines the film's reflective moments, while the ambient sounds of everyday life-the chatter of neighbors, the distant hum of city life-serve as a constant reminder of the world outside the immediate struggles of the characters. This thoughtful use of sound complements the narrative, adding emotional layers that resonate long after the credits roll.

    In its thematic depth, "A Difficult Life" deftly examines the interplay between personal ambition and societal constraint. The film raises probing questions about what it means to pursue one's dreams in the face of relentless adversity and how the individual's quest for identity can be both thwarted and enriched by the world around them. It is a meditation on resilience-a reminder that while life's challenges may be many, they often bring with them moments of unexpected humor, tenderness, and hope.

    Ultimately, "A Difficult Life" is much more than a period piece; it is a timeless reflection on the human spirit. Its carefully crafted narrative, memorable performances, and keen observations of everyday struggles combine to create a work that is both a product of its time and a universal story. Even decades after its release, the film continues to speak to audiences, inviting us to find beauty in hardship and to recognize that every difficult life carries the seeds of unexpected grace.

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      Borante Domizlaff, who plays a Nazi Officer, was really a SS Officer during World War II. He was also among those accused of war crimes, specifically the Ardeatine Massacre; like most of the officers accused of that crime, he was acquitted, as only their superior officer Herbert Kappler was sentenced to life imprisonment.
    • Connections
      Featured in Legendy mirovogo kino: Alberto Sordi

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    FAQ18

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • September 22, 1976 (France)
    • Country of origin
      • Italy
    • Languages
      • Italian
      • German
      • English
    • Also known as
      • A Difficult Life
    • Filming locations
      • Lenno, Lombardy, Italy
    • Production company
      • Dino de Laurentiis Cinematografica
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Gross US & Canada
      • $71,630
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $9,167
      • Feb 5, 2023
    • Gross worldwide
      • $71,630
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 58m(118 min)
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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