Liza is a 1972 French-Italian drama film directed by Marco Ferreri, starring Catherine Deneuve, Marcello Mastroianni, and Corinne Marchand. The film follows the story of a married couple, a wealthy French businessman and his gorgeous wife Liza (played by Deneuve), who take a trip to Naples, Italy to sell a property. Here they meet an old friend, an Italian aristocrat named Giorgio (Mastroianni), who has financially fallen on hard times.
Throughout the film, the audience is taken on an emotional rollercoaster as Liza is torn between her duty as a wife and her lust for Giorgio. Meanwhile, Giorgioâs character is revealed to be a man who is comfortable living off the wealth of others, and is not afraid to take advantage of those who come into his orbit. The themes of love, lust, betrayal, and power dynamics, are explored with a deep and melancholic intensity.
Catherine Deneuveâs portrayal of Liza is one of the highlights of the film. She captures the essence of her characterâs beauty, grace, and vulnerability, while being able to portray her soulâs deepest emotions with an effortless charm. Marcello Mastroianni, as always, delivers a magnetic performance, flawlessly embodying Giorgioâs nonchalance and steely resolve.
The film is visually stunning, with beautiful shots of the Italian coastline and Naples. The cinematography and editing are perfectly orchestrated to create and sustain the tension between the main characters, with deliberate pacing that brings the full weight of the story to bear on the audience as it unfolds.
Liza is a character-driven drama that to this day stands as a testament to the timelessness and universality of human emotion. The themes explored in the film are as relevant today as they were half a century ago, and the performances of the lead actors continue to captivate audiences. The chemistry between Deneuve and Mastroianni is palpable, and the supporting cast of Corinne Marchand and Giancarlo Giannini (who plays Corrado, Lizaâs husband), are equally impressive in their portrayals of the characters' different motivations.
Overall, Liza is a must-watch film for fans of classic cinema who are looking for an emotional and intellectual experience. The filmâs power to move, to provoke and to entertain is undeniable and has earned its place as a beloved piece of art in the world of cinema.
