La terrasse

Commedia all'Italiana had pretty well run its course by the time Ettore Scola made this film but its dark humour, scathing social satire and colourful characters certainly qualify it as typical of that particular genre. One is hardly surprised as the award-winning script is by the redoubtable duo of Age and Scarpelli whilst the cast is headed by three of the greatest male practitioners of Italian comedy, namely Marcello Mastroianni, Vittorio Gassman and Ugo Tognazzi. The absent Alberto Sordi gets a mention! As a bonus there are beautifully observed portraits of a deranged writer by Jean Louis Trintignant and a depressed pen-pusher by Serge Reggiani. On the distaff side Stefania Sandrelli proves once again that she is more than just a pretty face by picking up a Nastro d'Argento for her performance as Gassman's lover and as Mastroianni's ex-wife the elegant Carla Gravina was recognised at Cannes.

Although not Scola's greatest this is still the work of a master film-maker, is eminently watchable and fully justifies its length. The inexorable passing of time with its painful regrets, the fragility of relationships and the frailties of humankind as depicted here cannot fail to strike a chord and we are furthermore treated to a level of artistry from the principals that belongs to a vanished era.

We follow five friends at the same party. A writer, a producer, a director, a politician and a journalist. There they meet new and old flames and quarrel a bit. All are experiencing an intellectual and emotional crisis.

I loved the many subtle symbols in this film. For instance, the young girlfriends; Sergio who is not eating; the crisis of being a leftist ('I'm much more left-wing than you!'); the success of women.

Even better is Scola's mockery with intellectualism. As you sometimes hear at parties people say: 'Mannerism is out of fashion', and you haven't got an clue what the purpose is of this comment. Every character here thinks himself as being witty, except the producer, and it is precisely him who produces a dramatic masterpiece that is praised by the intellectual elite.

Scola portrays disappointments beautifully - it is seen between the lines, as it was as well in Brutti, sporchi e cattivi. So, I highly appreciated this film, but you have to bear in mind it is a film of almost three hours. A perfect film for a rainy Sunday.

Good opportunity to see once again Scola's great sense of criticism and love for Italian contemporary society, mixing in a tragicomic way politics, middle-age crisis, failing marriage, love, infidelity, suicide, friendship, the rôle of intellectuals. His great ensemble direction rivals Robert Altman's. And just have a look at that cast - Mastroianni (effective as always), Trintignant (always so surprising), Tognazzi (in charge of his difficult rôle), Gassman (what a superb actor!), Reggiani (moving), the lovely Stefania Sandrelli and a débutante very young Marie Trintignant. For those who like Italian cinema and politically oriented films with a touch of humor. 8/10

Boring???maybe for who doesn't know or understand the Italian situation of the early eighties, and that typical attitude of the left-side radical chic inhabitants of Rome.I do,and I appreciated this movie a Lot.Scola fails so rarely,and this wasn't the case.A great cast made a great movie,probably one of the last successful "Italian comedy" ever.Everything works fine,from the narrative stile of the director,which shows once again how well he can deal with a crowded set,to the script,written as always by himself.Gassman and Satta Flores above all.I wish this movie was more known abroad,24 years are past,but it never lost its taste,still actual and ironic as it should be

Claudia

Adorable, intelligent and politic driven movie. The best Italian director ever commands great actors and conducts the audience through a journey of passionate and bitter fellows who dare to fight for their beliefs.

In La Terrazza there are some amazing speeches - which I don't recall exactly - about every human being's right to happiness and love.

Maybe I liked it so much because I'm already a big fan of Ettore Scola. I also recommend his masterpieces "C'eravamo Tanto Amati" (the best Victorio Gassman performance) and "La Cena" (the last Gassman appearance).