A film from 1974 by Luchino Visconti may have autobiographical connotations. It introduces us to il Professore (Burt Lancaster), a well-studied and traveled man who lives comfortably and quietly in his flat located in the heart of Rome. He has a lively interest in arts and literature,  and he lives with a loyal housekeeper and cook, Erminia (Elvira Cortese), in a museum-like environment full of art, since he is a collector too.

With the unmissable atmosphere of a Visconti movie, elaborate, ostentatious settings, drama, and his usual ensemble cast, the director brings out concern for humanity from his particular and privileged point of view. The balance is not optimistic since decadence, superficiality, and grossness prevail  (…vulgar, the richer they are!).  It resonates loudly in the present, although the film was made fifty years ago, showing the crassness and discourtesy we live in. 

Il Professore has visitors, two gentlemen from the Blanchard gallery who offer him a painting which he analyzes with a magnifying glass, a lady sitting on a sofa, smokes, and listens to the conversation.  Visconti in the film also analyzes with a magnifying glass, dissecting the upper-class society he belongs to.

After the opening scene in Il Professore´s living room, he concludes he doesn’t want to buy the painting;  the gentlemen leave, but the lady remains and introduces herself as Marchesa Bianca Brumonte (Silvana Mangano) she just met the gallery gentlemen by the elevator, and they went in together,  but there is no relationship among them. She is looking for a place to live and asks il Professore to rent her the apartment upstairs for a year.  He says no but, after a surprise of some art, she gets the place for her, her daughter Lietta (Claudia Marsani), her lover  Konrad Huebel (Helmut Berger), and family´s friend Stefano (Stefano Patrizi).  The chaotic relationship with the upstairs tenants develops in the months that follow.

Il Professore says he sees himself as the tragic character of a play. He has visions, they translate into the special appearances of Dominque Sanda (the mother) and Claudia Cardinale (the wife). Rarely seen Mangano talking incessantly and loud. Despite the extravagant and noisy lifestyle of the Marchesa, daughter and friends, the Professore succumbs to their vitality and charms,  while listening Mozart’ s …  and the song by Iva Zanicchi.

The original Italian title is much accurate than the one in English, the film itself is a conversation piece you have to watch and talk about.     

A recent period piece that is a must see for Visconti´s enthusiasts.  Visconti´s penultimate film new 4k restoration will open January 23 in NYC at the Film Forum.

8/10