Caroline Berg Movies
- 1995
The effects of the Spanish Civil War on Portugal are examined in this Portuguese-Spanish historical drama. The story is in 1936 during the summer and centers on a group of young adults who have gone to the seaside for a vacation. Among the revelers are Mercedes, her brother Ramos, and his friend Jorge, who develops a crush on the woman. Their fun is interrupted when news of the newly erupted conflict reaches them. Each of the vacationers have their own take on the war and heated arguments ensue. An impassioned Ramos decides to journey to Spain and fight against the fascists. Meanwhile, Portugal's conservative dictator, Salazar, becomes increasingly oppressive. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1989
While strolling through the Tuileries, Catherine de Medici's lovely palace and its grounds in the heart of Paris, Marie (Beate Jensen) meets Peter (Stephane Ferrara), a handsome man whom she instantly gets involved with. He has warned her that he sometimes kills women for the pleasure of it, but despite that evidence of a truly twisted mind, she embarks on a passionate affair with him which is graphically depicted onscreen. When he actually kills a woman whom they happen to meet, she helps him cover up the deed. Is she actually turned on by this mayhem? It is difficult to know, but after the murder she witnesses, she does belatedly begin to take some steps to protect herself from this monster. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Stephane Ferrara, Beate Jensen, (more)
- 1985
The Two Lives of Mattia Pascal is based on Le Deux Vite di Mattia Pascal, one of Luigi Pirandello's many stories concerning the transitory nature of the intangibles "Truth" and "Identity" Marcello Mastrioanni is a downtrodden average man, treated like trash by his fiancee, scorned by his associates, and cheated out of his inheritance by contemptuous relatives. The dispirited Mastrioanni heads to Monte Carlo, where he accrues a fortune. He also assumes the identity of a less fortunate gambler who has committed suicide. The "new" Mastrioanni is treated with a dignity and respect that overwhelms him--and nearly kills him. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marcello Mastroianni, Flavio Bucci, (more)
- 1982
The real Marquis of Grillo lived in the early 18th century, but, for this take-off on the marquis' life, director Mario Monicelli) has changed the time period to the early 19th century when a lot more was going on in Rome. The marquis (Alberto Sordi) amuses himself by throwing red-hot coins to beggars, occasionally walling up the store entrance of an offending merchant and installing a urinal there instead, and generally making witty and broad comments on the life going on around him. His existence suddenly gets a lot more interesting when he discovers his physical (unrelated) twin in a Roman tavern (also Alberto Sordi) - a drunkard who works transporting coal when he is sober. As a joke, the marquis takes the passed-out drunk to his mansion and puts him in his bed -- fully intent on convincing the drunk and everyone else that this man is the real marquis. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alberto Sordi, Caroline Berg, (more)
