I Vitelloni

Italian NeoRealism | Italian with English subtitles | 103 minutes

Info

A heavy downpour interrupts a beachside beauty pageant in a provincial town on the Italian Adriatic coast. When Sandra Rubini, “Miss Siren 1953,” faints, there are rumors she is pregnant by local playboy Fausto Moretti. Fausto is forced by his father Francesco to marry Sandra. Meanwhile, Fausto’s young friends, unemployed and dependent on their parents, spend their time on juvenile shenanigans and mischief. Moraldo, Sandra’s brother, is troubled by the behavior of his friends, as he dreams of relocating to the big city. Back from his honeymoon with Sandra, Fausto continues to pursue other women. Fausto is smitten by the sophisticated beauty of Giulia Curti, his employer’s wife. Fausto’s naive attempt to seduce Curti is rejected and Fausto is fired. When Sandra learns of Fausto’s infidelities, she runs off with the baby. Fausto and his friends find Sandra inFausto’s home. Francesco pulls off his belt and whips his son, hoping he will abandon his wayward life and settle down. There is also hope that Fausto’s friends will shape up and make something of their lives.

Cast

Franco Fabrizi (Fausto) / Leonora Ruffo (Sandra) / Jean Brochard (Francesco) / Franco Interlenghi (Moraldo)

Why Stream This Film?

I Vitelloni is a vivid portrayal of shiftless twenty-year olds trying to grow up. It’s an optimistic film when two in the group do manage to shape up and move on. It’s also a Fellini film that has greatly influenced the making of Scorsese’s Mean Streets, George Lucas’s American Graffiti and Joel Schumacher’s St. Elmo’s Fire.

Rotten Tomatoes Score (Critics Consensus): 100%
Metacritic Score: 87%

Accolades

75th Venice Film Festival, Winner, Golden Lion
Ten Academy Award Nominations. Winner: Best Best Foreign Language Film, Best Director (Alfonso Cuarón), Best Cinematographer (Alfonso Cuarón)
Festivals: Venice, Telluride, Toronto, New York
Best Film of 2018: Time Magazine and The New York Film Critics Circle