A Pure Formality (1994)
"Una pura formalità" (original title)

Onoff is a famous writer who hasn't published any new books for quite some time and has become a recluse. When he is picked up by the police one stormy night, without any identification, ... See full summary »

Director:

Giuseppe Tornatore

Writers:

Giuseppe Tornatore (story), Giuseppe Tornatore (screenplay),

Stars:

Gérard Depardieu, Roman Polanski, Sergio Rubini

3 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview:
Gérard Depardieu	...	Onoff
Roman Polanski	...	Inspector
Sergio Rubini	...	Andre, the Young Policeman
Nicola Di Pinto	...	Captain
Tano Cimarosa	...	Servant
Paolo Lombardi	...	Marshall
Maria Rosa Spagnolo	...	Paula
Alberto Sironi
Giovanni Morricone
Mahdi Kraiem
Massimo Vanni
Sebastiano Filocamo

Storyline

Onoff is a famous writer who hasn't published any new books for quite some time and has become a recluse. When he is picked up by the police one stormy night, without any identification, out of breath and running madly, without clear memory of recent events, the Inspector is suspicious. Through interrogatory dialectic, the head of this lonely, isolated, broken-down police station tries to establish what has happened, by delving into the mind of his writer-hero, and clearing up a mysterious killing.

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Plot Keywords:

amnesia | suicide | existentialism | surrealism | surprise ending | 

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Genres:

Crime | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for brief shocking violence and momentary language

Details

Official Sites:

Sony

Country:

Italy France

Language:

French

Release Date:

26 May 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Pure Formality

Filming Locations:

Cinecittà Studios, Cinecittà, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Box Office

Gross:

$202,458 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cecchi Gori Group Tiger Cinematografica, DD Productions, Film Par Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"Ricordare"
Music by Andrea Morricone and Ennio Morricone
Lyrics by Pascal Quignard and Giuseppe Tornatore
Performed by Gérard Depardieu

User Reviews

A true masterpiece

A masterpiece, in a true meaning of this word. Yet, a very few people know about this gem; further, out of those few who saw it, only a small minority truly understood and appreciated it. It is a work of art, with masterfully written dialogs, haunting music (one of a very few instances where Gerard Depardieu sings) and a shocking ending. Never take for the 'face value' what you see there; there are many hints spread across it (actually, from the very beginning) that only towards the end make sense. It is the movie only for those who enjoy films like "The Sixth Sense," but this one is made on a much more sublime and sophisticated level. One of my favorite movies, if not The One.