The Belly of an Architect (1987)

An architect supervising an exhibition starts to have mysterious stomach pains while his life slowly falls apart.

Director:

Peter Greenaway

Writer:

Peter Greenaway

Stars:

Brian Dennehy, Chloe Webb, Lambert Wilson

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Brian Dennehy	...	Stourley Kracklite
Chloe Webb	...	Louisa Kracklite
Lambert Wilson	...	Caspasian Speckler
Sergio Fantoni	...	Io Speckler
Stefania Casini	...	Flavia Speckler
Vanni Corbellini	...	Frederico
Alfredo Varelli	...	Julio
Geoffrey Copleston	...	Caspetti
Francesco Carnelutti	...	Pastarri
Marino Masé	...	Trettorio
Marne Maitland	...	Battistino
Claudio Spadaro	...	Mori
Rate Furlan	...	Violinist
Julian Jenkins	...	Old Doctor
Enrica Maria Scrivano	...	Mother

Storyline

An American architect arrives in Italy, supervising an exhibition for a French architect, Boullée, who is famous for his oval structures. Through the course of 9 months he becomes obsessed with his belly, suffers severe stomach pains, loses his wife, exhibition, his unborn child and finally his own life.

---

Plot Keywords:

italy | downward spiral | architect | stomach | british renaissance | 

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

UK Italy

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

16 October 1987 (UK)

Also Known As:

The Belly of an Architect

Filming Locations:

Aurelian Walls, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Box Office

Gross USA:

$287,725

Company Credits

Production Co:

Callender Company, Mondial, Tangram Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

119 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Brian Dennehy was quoted after the release as saying "I've made lots of movies but only one film."

---

Goofs

The violinists (c.25 minutes and c. 99 minutes) mime very badly.

---

Quotes

Stourley Kracklite: All fascists are meat-eaters.

---

Connections

Referenced in The Tulse Luper Suitcases, Part 1: The Moab Story (2003)

User Reviews

Second Greenaway I got see. I love him so far!

Welcome to Greenaway cinema. Having seen only his 'hit' The Cook the Thief His Wife & Her Lover(1989) and this, I cannot say much for the sum of his films. I will simply try to find and watch more film of his. His comments and quotes here in IMDb are impressive as well.

On to the film: Shot in Rome, it will thrill people with interest on architecture both visually, but thematically as well, well at least at some points. The musical score is stunning. It suits the theme and climax that Greenaway masterfully builds. As with The Cook the Thief His Wife & Her Lover, it is not various separate songs. All the soundtrack songs together form a thriumph of visual and audio art, suggesting my point about the importance of film soundtracks for an effective impact on viewer. This is a sad story, but it features some light points where joy and lust for life is celebrated - at least for my eyes and ears.

Those who criticise Greenaway for attempting only to shock the viewers have simply lost the point. Anyway. The Belly of an architect is no violent film, so it is highly recommended to those interested in films, maybe a bit 'arty', but with heart .