The Swindle

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lucca b 05/10/2022 A fascinating character study that often shifts seamlessly between comedy and tragedy that, despite not being one of Fellini's best works, it's ultimately a must-see. See more s r @ScottR 03/04/2022 A powerful moral tale, but it doesn't quite cut it in the end to make it a classic. The punch kind of misses despite a good build up. Regardless, it still reminds of of the futility of the swindle and the inevitable end of the road for those who do it, all with an Italian twist. Saw it on TCM. See more 02/11/2021 Though Italian cinema is all too often pigeonholed with mafia and criminal tales, Fellini demonstrates little to no interest in such things. This is even true of 1955's Il bidone (The swindle), a film all about professional con men. Fellini is far more intent on depicting the sheer heartlessness in their operations, which target impoverished people living in remote areas. Led by a slightly more vulnerable than usual Broderick Crawford, the despicable nature of these thieves demonstrate on an internal level how crime does not pay- even when it's pulled off successfully. Very recognizable seeds of Il bidone have since sprouted in films such as Michael Mann's Heat, Drew Godard's Bad Times at the El Royale, and Oliver Stone's U-Turn. These are criminals as workaday grifters, survivalists using immoral skills fostered during Italy's time of postwar desolation. The film isn't so much the gut punch of La strada as a felt depletion of oxygen. See more andres s 12/14/2020 Pretty crazy how these guys are willing to swindle and con anybody, even the poor. Maybe it's because it's one of his earlier movies, but this doesn't feel like a Fellini movie at all. Holy shit this was boring as fuck! I had to fast forward because the plot was just so uninteresting. Nothing was really happening and I couldn't really give a shit about the characters. I never would have thought I'd see a Fellini film that I wouldn't like but here it is. See more 12/23/2019 Between 2.5 and 3 stars. It is another way to tell misery in Italy, but the story does not captivate you. I would appreciate a higher participation of Giulietta Massina. See more 09/07/2014 Like his fellow countrymen De Sica and Pasolini, Fellini shows his sympathy towards the devastated Italians by crafting the lives of a bunch swindlers without much criticisms of their deeds. Broderick Crawford is amazing in portraying this pitiful villain. See more Read all reviews

The Swindle

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