The Family (1987)

With the background of the XX century Italian history, Carlo, a retired teacher, traces the vicissitudes of his family.

Director:

Ettore Scola

Writers:

Graziano Diana (dialogue), Ruggero Maccari (story)

Stars:

Vittorio Gassman, Fanny Ardant, Stefania Sandrelli

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 24 wins & 14 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Emanuele Lamaro	...	Carlo
Andrea Occhipinti	...	Carlo
Vittorio Gassman	...	Carlo / Nonno di Carlo
Cecilia Dazzi	...	Beatrice
Stefania Sandrelli	...	Beatrice
Jo Champa	...	Adriana
Fanny Ardant	...	Adriana
Joska Versari	...	Giulio
Alberto Gimignani	...	Giulio
Massimo Dapporto	...	Giulio
Carlo Dapporto	...	Giulio
Consuelo Pascali	...	Adelina
Ilaria Stuppia	...	Adelina
Ottavia Piccolo	...	Adelina
Athina Cenci	...	Zia 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:

italy | 20th century | taking a photograph | voice over | voice over narration | 

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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 French Hungarian

Release Date:

December 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Family

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$10,590, 24 January 1988

Gross USA:

$346,730

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$346,730

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinecittà, Massfilm, Cinémax

Technical Specs

Runtime:

142 min (director's cut)

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color (Cinecolor)

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in Ridendo e scherzando - Ritratto di un regista all'italiana (2015)

User Reviews

Entertaining

Most of the main characters in this movie are played by more than one actor since the story depicts a family during a period of nearly eighty years. All transitions from one actor to the next are smooth; except for that between the actors who portrayed Carlo, the protagonist. Andrea Occhipinti portrays a handsome and quite charismatic young Carlo, and after a period of about fifteen years in the movie, Vittorio Gassman (35 years older than Mr. Occhipinti) begins to play Carlo. Mr. Gassman looks very little like Mr. Occhipinti, and the miscasting damaged the film which otherwise would have been better than what I gave it, 7/10.