A Pure Formality (1994)

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

5 wins & 9 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:

police | writer | minimal cast | single set production | fall from height | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | 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 USA:

$202,458

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?

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.

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Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Casper/Mad Love/Braveheart/Johnny Mnemonic/A Pure Formality (1995)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

One of the Best films I've seen

I must thank Imdb, because I would have never watched this masterpiece if it weren't for it's user comments. The film is indeed remarkable, in the style of Adrian Lyne's "Jacob's Ladder", and although it's the kind of film that needs a second watch in order to get everything together, and that I got everything together thanks to some user comments, I was astonished to see how it worked over my feeling as if another part of me had completely understood the plot with just one watch. Warning: you might feel somewhat sad when watching this film. Not the kind of feeling of sadness of typical films in which a boy gets leuchemia; I'm talking about a DEEP, REAL feeling about life. The actors, the words, the scenography, they are all WONDERFUL. All. Do not miss it.