The Conformist (1970) Review
THE CONFORMIST-1970 DIRECTOR- Bernardo Bertolucci CAST- Jean-Louis Trintignant, Stefania Sandrelli, Gastone Moschin, Pierre Clementi, Dominique Sanda THE CONFORMIST (Bernardo Bertolucci, 1970)- A conformist is one who conforms to the accepted behaviour by following the accepted life being followed by everyone around him sacrificing his own identity in the process. Adapted from Alberto Moravia’s novel, the story follows Marcello Clerici working for the fascist government sent to assassinate his former college professor now a political dissident who has fled Italy. We starts with Clerici in being driven by a man in pursuit of the professor and then non-linearly recounts Clerici’s life to this point, fleshing him out as we cut back into the present at times. Though initially, Conformist might feel like a thriller, but it’s more of a character study. Will Clerici assassinate the professor or not, is not the core and the story is more interested in Clerici himself and through his i