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, ...
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Title: A Pure Formality (1994)
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5 wins & 9 nominations.
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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 |
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Maria Rosa Spagnolo | ... | Paula |
| Alberto Sironi | |||
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Giovanni Morricone | ||
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Mahdi Kraiem | ||
| Massimo Vanni | |||
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Sebastiano Filocamo | ||
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Plot Summary
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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. Written by Tad Dibbern <DIBBERN_D@a1.mscf.upenn.edu>
Plot Keywords:
police | writer | minimal cast | single set production | fall from height |Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated PG-13 for brief shocking violence and momentary language | See all certifications »Parents Guide:
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Details
Language:
FrenchRelease Date:
26 May 1995 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
A Pure Formality See more »Edit
Box Office
Gross USA:
$202,458Company Credits
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Technical Specs
Runtime:
Color:
ColorAspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1
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Onoff: You don't write because you have an idea, but because you can't do anything else.
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Music by Andrea Morricone and Ennio Morricone
Lyrics by Pascal Quignard and Giuseppe Tornatore
Performed by Gérard Depardieu
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Did You Know?
Quotes
Andre, the Young Policeman: An idea for a new book?Onoff: You don't write because you have an idea, but because you can't do anything else.
See more »
Soundtracks
RicordareMusic by Andrea Morricone and Ennio Morricone
Lyrics by Pascal Quignard and Giuseppe Tornatore
Performed by Gérard Depardieu
See more »
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.