Le Far Da Padre Bambina 1974
Le Far Da Padre Bambina 1974 - A Review
Le Far Da Padre Bambina 1974 (also known as I'll Take Her Like a Father and Bambina) is a comedy film directed by Alberto Lattuada, starring Gigi Proietti, Irene Papas, and Teresa Ann Savoy. The film is set in Apulia, Italy, and tells the story of a lawyer who tries to marry a wealthy countess's mentally-disabled daughter in order to get her inheritance.
The film is a satire of the Italian society and its obsession with money, sex, and power. The film also explores the themes of love, deception, and redemption. The film is based on a novel by Ottavio Jemma, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Lattuada and Bruno Di Geronimo.
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The Plot
The film begins with Saverio Mazzacolli (Proietti), a lawyer who has a project for a holiday resort, but lacks the funds to realize it. He meets Raimonda Spina Tommaselli (Papas), a rich and widowed countess who owns a large estate in Apulia. Saverio proposes to marry her daughter Clotilde (Savoy), who is 18 years old but has the mental age of a child. Clotilde is obsessed with sex and has a crush on Saverio.
Raimonda agrees to the marriage, but only if Saverio signs a contract that gives her the usufruct of the estate for life. Saverio accepts, but he has a plan to get rid of Raimonda and Clotilde. He enlists the help of Don Amilcare de Loyola (Scaccia), a local nobleman who is also his friend and accomplice. They stage a fake kidnapping of Clotilde by some bandits, hoping that Raimonda will pay a ransom and then die of a heart attack.
However, things do not go as planned. Clotilde escapes from the bandits and runs away with Peppe Colizzi (Cirino), a young peasant who works for Raimonda. They fall in love and have sex in the countryside. Meanwhile, Saverio realizes that he has feelings for Clotilde and regrets his scheme. He tries to find her and save her from the bandits, who are still looking for her.
The film ends with a twist. Raimonda reveals that she knew everything about Saverio's plot and that she was behind the kidnapping. She hired the bandits to test Saverio's love for Clotilde and to teach him a lesson. She also reveals that Clotilde is not her biological daughter, but an orphan that she adopted. She tells Saverio that he can have Clotilde and the estate if he truly loves her.
The Cast
The film features an ensemble cast of Italian actors, some of whom were famous at the time. Gigi Proietti plays Saverio Mazzacolli, the protagonist and anti-hero of the film. Proietti was known for his roles in comedy films and theater shows. He delivers a charismatic and witty performance as Saverio, who is both cunning and naive.
Irene Papas plays Raimonda Spina Tommaselli, the antagonist and deuteragonist of the film. Papas was an internationally acclaimed actress who starred in many films by renowned directors such as Michael Cacoyannis, Costa-Gavras, and Federico Fellini. She portrays Raimonda as a strong and mysterious woman who has a hidden agenda.
Teresa Ann Savoy plays Clotilde Spina Tommaselli, the tritagonist and love interest of the film. Savoy was an English actress who made her debut in this film. She was discovered by Lattuada in London and cast as Clotilde without any audition. She gives a natural and innocent performance as Clotilde, who is both childish and sensual.
The Director
Alberto Lattuada was an Italian director who worked in various genres such as neorealism, comedy, drama, and fantasy. He was also a screenwriter, producer, and critic. He started his career as an assistant director for Mario Soldati and Alessandro Blasetti. He made his directorial debut in 1943 with Giacomo l'idealista. He collaborated with Federico Fellini on the script and direction of Luci del varietà in 1950.
Lattuada is considered one of the masters of Italian cinema, along with Roberto Rossellini, Vittorio De Sica, and Luchino Visconti. He directed more than 40 films, some of which are regarded as classics, such as Il bandito, La spiaggia, Mafioso, and La tempesta. He was also a mentor and a friend to many young filmmakers, such as Ettore Scola, Marco Ferreri, and Nanni Moretti.
Lattuada was known for his eclectic and personal style, which combined realism and fantasy, comedy and tragedy, satire and lyricism. He was also known for his social criticism and his exploration of human psychology. He often dealt with controversial topics such as sexuality, religion, politics, and morality. He had a preference for female characters and actresses, whom he portrayed with sensitivity and complexity.
The Reception
The film was released in Italy in 1974 and in other countries under different titles. The film received mixed reviews from critics and audiences. Some praised the film for its humor, originality, and performances. Others criticized the film for its vulgarity, implausibility, and misogyny.
The film was a moderate success at the box office, but it did not have a lasting impact on the public or the industry. The film was overshadowed by other Italian comedies of the same period, such as Amarcord by Fellini, C'eravamo tanto amati by Scola, and Profumo di donna by Dino Risi.
The film is now considered a cult film by some fans and critics who appreciate its eccentricity and its subversion of the comedy genre. The film is also regarded as a showcase for the talents of Lattuada, Proietti, Papas, and Savoy.
The Sources
The information in this article is based on the following sources:
[Le farò da padre - Wikipedia]
[Bambina (1974) MUBI]
[Bambina (1974) directed by Alberto Lattuada - Letterboxd]