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Blow to the Heart

Play trailer Blow to the Heart 1982 1h 45m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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An introverted teenager (Fausto Rossi) thinks his father (Jean-Louis Trintignant) may have links to terrorism after meeting the man's associates.

Audience Reviews

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Sergio S There are many reasons why I find the film compelling. First of all, the charisma and the skills of the actors. Jean-Louis Trintignant, warm and intelligent, in the lead role of Dario, a father and university professor but with friends who are members of the Red Brigades; Fausto Rossi in the convincing role of Emilio, his smart and observant teenage son; the photogenic Laura Morante who plays the enigmatic Giulia, a new mother and the companion of Sandro, the Red Brigades member. Even the minor roles were credible and painted with very human and expert touches. The title recalls a phrase of the Red Brigades, "Strike at the heart of the State". In fact, the film has as its backdrop the so-called Years of Lead in Italy and is an essential part of the story. But as far as I'm concerned, I think the film mostly concentrates on the relationship between the father and the son. Not only does it closely examine this relationship, but it makes an extremely bitter observation. That we cannot count on anyone at all, not even our nearest and dearest. A philosophical, solipsistic position I would say. So the title “Blow to the Heart” above all refers to the son’s betrayal when he reports his father to the police for his friendship with the Red Brigades member, Sandro, who kills two carabinieri in the streets of Milan but is in his turn killed. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/12/25 Full Review Audience Member Girato in otto settimane nel 1982 con scarsissimi mezzi, ma forse il più riuscito dei film non dedicati ad un episodio specifico degli anni di piombo, alla sua presentazione a Venezia non fu esente da giudizi particolarmente duri: la critica si divise tra chi parteggiava per il padre contro il figlio o viceversa, "Mentre nelle mie intenzioni" sostiene Amelio "sono entrambi vittime delle circostanze". Numerosi problemi vennero anche dalla produzione, targata Rai, che ritardò di otto mesi l'uscita del film nelle sale e lo programmò in tv solo cinque anni dopo. Il capostruttura Rai Paolo Valmarana, pur definito dal regista come uno dei più corretti con i quali gli sia capitato di lavorare, impose l'inserimento nella parte finale di un retorico dialogo in cui veniva messo in chiaro che il film non giustificava in alcun modo il terrorismo. Sempre il regista raccontò, nel commento incluso nell'edizione Dvd, di aver girato una scena cruciale con un unico piano sequenza proprio per evitare la possibilità di tagli censori sul dialogo. [it.wikipedia.org] Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Blow to the Heart

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Cast & Crew

Movie Info

Synopsis An introverted teenager (Fausto Rossi) thinks his father (Jean-Louis Trintignant) may have links to terrorism after meeting the man's associates.
Director
Gianni Amelio
Screenwriter
Gianni Amelio, Vincenzo Cerami
Production Co
Gaumont
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Italian
Runtime
1h 45m