Directed by:
Giuseppe TornatoreCinematography:
Blasco GiuratoComposer:
Ennio MorriconeCast:
Gérard Depardieu, Roman Polański, Sergio Rubini, Tano Cimarosa, Alberto Sironi, Massimo Vanni, Nicola Di Pinto, Timothy Martin, Paolo LombardiPlots(1)
A man (Depardieu) is running through the woods during a violent storm. Dripping wet, he is taken to an isolated provincial Police Station where he declares that he is the famous novelist and playwright, Onoff. The Inspector (Polanski) is highly skeptical of the man's tale. How can this coarse man be his idol, Onoff, the author of his favorite novels? Could he be the person responsible for the murder committed near Onoff's home? And if he is innocent, why does he claim to not remember what he did at the time of the crime? And why does he repeatedly change his story? For his part, Onoff is outraged that he is being held against his will and unable to make a telephone call. The interrogation lasts throughout the night, as the Inspector tries a variety of approaches in his dogged attempt to get his suspect to confess. Sometimes he tries to forge a bond with Onoff, flattering him for his literary genius. He tests and baits Onoff with his near encyclopedic knowledge of his writings and life. At other times, the Inspector resorts to more brutal techniques. Onoff, a master storyteller, has some wily tricks of his own. Hidden behind this unfolding cat-and-mouse game between these two personalities is a deeper mystery, with a surprising outcome that has overtones of Kafka and "Outward Bound." (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Cast
Gérard Depardieu
France
Best movies:
Jean de Florette (1986)
Two Men in Town (1973)
Shut Up! (2003)
Roman Polański
France
Sergio Rubini
Italy
Best movies:
The Count of Monte Cristo (1998) (series)
The Moro Affair (1986)
Une pure formalité (1994)
Tano Cimarosa
Italy
Best movies:
Cinema Paradiso (1988)
Une pure formalité (1994)
The Most Beautiful Wife (1970)
Alberto Sironi
Italy
Best movies:
Une pure formalité (1994)
Everybody's Fine (1990)
Massimo Vanni
Italy
Best movies:
The Big Racket (1976)
Seven Beauties (1975)
Une pure formalité (1994)
Nicola Di Pinto
Italy
Best movies:
Cinema Paradiso (1988)
The Legend of 1900 (1998)
The Moro Affair (1986)
Timothy Martin
Best movies:
Une pure formalité (1994)
Summertime (2016)
The Kreutzer Sonata: What is Love? (2006)
Paolo Lombardi
Italy
Best movies:
Une pure formalité (1994)
La Mouette et le chat (1998)
St. Francis (2002) (TV movie)