The Family (1987)
"La famiglia" (original title)

Traces events in the life of Carlo, from his christening in 1906, where his grandfather reminds his father that Carlo means "free man," to his 80th birthday party. The film principally ... See full summary »

Director:

Ettore Scola

Writers:

Graziano Diana (dialogue), Ruggero Maccari (story),

Stars:

Emanuele Lamaro, Vittorio Gassman, Stefania Sandrelli

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 13 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Emanuele Lamaro	...	Carlo, as a child
Andrea Occhipinti	...	Carlo as a young man
Vittorio Gassman	...	Carlo, as a man / Carlo's grandfather
Cecilia Dazzi	...	Beatrice, as a girl
Stefania Sandrelli	...	Beatrice
Jo Champa	...	Adriana as a young woman
Fanny Ardant	...	Adriana
Joska Versari	...	Giulio, as a child
Alberto Gimignani	...	Giulio, as a boy
Massimo Dapporto	...	Giulio, as a boy
Carlo Dapporto	...	Giulio, as a man
Consuelo Pascali	...	Adelina, as a child
Ilaria Stuppia	...	Adelina, as a girl
Ottavia Piccolo	...	Adelina
Athina Cenci	...	Aunt Margherita

Storyline

Traces events in the life of Carlo, from his christening in 1906, where his grandfather reminds his father that Carlo means "free man," to his 80th birthday party. The film principally explores his relationships with younger brother Guilio, with wife Beatrice, and with her sister Adriana, whom Carlo loved as a young man.

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Plot Keywords:

pasta | fascist | spinster | single set production | love triangle | 

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Taglines:

In 1906 Carlo was born into a very large family, a family of artists and lovers, spinsters and fools. Now he's 80...and they're all coming to dinner.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

Italy France

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

December 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Family

Box Office

Gross:

$346,730 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinecittà, Massfilm, Cinémax

Technical Specs

Runtime:

127 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color (Cinecolor)

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in Portraits chinois (1996)

User Reviews

I want to see it again

This is a wonderful movie, but it starts off kind of slowly. At one point as I was wondering why I am watching it. But it grows on you and before you know it you are hooked. It's not the kind of movie Americans are used to - it deals with emotions, sensitivity, love, involvement, but without much reliance on special effects, sex, or violence. It explores the meaning of life, but it's one flaw is the failure to bring the search for God into it.