While I do NOT love many of Fellini's more famous films, I loved Il Bidone. That's because this film is very conventional and doesn't sink to the excesses of some of Fellini's later works (such as SATYRICON). Instead, the film is slightly reminiscent of a Film Noir flick. Oddly, like some Italian films of the 50s and 60s, it starred an American who was dubbed into Italian (like Anthony Quinn and Richard Basehart in LA STRADA). The unpleasantness that eventually occurs to Broderick Crawford in this movie is well-deserved, as he is 100% scum--right down to the bone--like many Noir leading men. And I really, really appreciate how the writer did NOT give way to the typical clichés and offer him some sort of redemption. No, Crawford is a sociopathic slug,...and oh so believable in this role.
An excellent example of Italian Film Noir--one of Fellini's finest yet one of his soonest overlooked due to its rather conventional nature. I, for one, DON'T think Fellini's films must be weird and surreal to be enjoyed.
An excellent example of Italian Film Noir--one of Fellini's finest yet one of his soonest overlooked due to its rather conventional nature. I, for one, DON'T think Fellini's films must be weird and surreal to be enjoyed.