La Commare secca (The Grim Reaper) poster & wallpaper
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Gabriella Giorgelli, Giancarlo de Rosa, Vincenzo Ciccora, Alvaro D'Ercola, Romano Labate ... see more see more... , Lorenza Benedetti , Silvio Laurenzi , Allen Midgette , Francesco Rulu , Marisa Solinas , Allen Midget , Alfredo Leggi , Alvaro D'Ercole , Carlotta Barilli , Francesco Ruiu

A very young Bernardo Bertolucci already shows his talent in this bleak, 94-minute murder mystery, told in an interesting series of flashbacks. A Roman prostitute has been brutally murdered in a park ... read more read more...near the Tiber River and in order to forward their investigation, the police corner a handful of people who were in the park at the time. As they separately tell their versions of why they were there and what they did, their narrations do not necessarily match the images on the screen that do reflect the truth. By the time all the flashbacks have been completed, a real picture of the crime emerges, revealing that one of those in custody is the killer. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Flixster Users

65% liked it

536 ratings

Critics

86% liked it

7 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 40 min.

Directed by: Bernardo Bertolucci

Release Date: January 1, 1962

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DVD Release Date: February 1, 2005

Stats: 52 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (52)

  • ajv2688
    December 31, 2010
    ajv2688
    This movie reminds me so much of Roshomon, but slower and more boring. There are some good scenes, but for the most part, it's not a great movie. It's just okay.
  • gator681
    September 15, 2009
    gator681
    In "La Commare Secca," a prostitute(Wanda Rocci) has been murdered in a park. The police have cast their net far and wide for leads while the disembodied voice of law and order interviews possible witnesses and suspects who might have seen anything. Making matters more difficul... read moret is the interviewees not exactly being forthright. Starting off is Luciano(Francesco Ruiu) who has gotten a job recommendation from a couple of priests before joining up with his pals Nino(Giancarlo De Rosa) and Sindaco(Vincenzo Ciccora), as they attempt to rob distracted couples in the park. Bostelli(Alfredo Leggi) is a former criminal who has apparently gone straight but still cheats on his wife Esperia(Gabriella Giorgelli) with whom he runs a protection racket.

    With its unique story structure and directed by Bernardo Bertolucci, "La Commare Secca" is a not entirely successful movie, nor is it entirely without merit. It manages to paint a vivid tableau on a particular day about characters on the move who cannot find any stability which can mean a legitimate job. On the other hand, all the pieces of the puzzle do not exactly fit together as the mystery is resolved a little too perfunctorily.
  • michaelcorleone
    August 31, 2007
    michaelcorleone
    Experimentally smart and well-paced, Bertolucci's vision was kept on a tight leash as a result of a clearly restrictive budget. Nevertheless, it's an interesting and inolving picture, and it's a tremendous achievement from such a young filmmaker. It's obviously inspired by Kurosa... read morewa's Rashomon (1950), but Bertolucci brings a lot of his own ideas to the screen.

View All La Commare secca (The Grim Reaper) Reviews

Critic Reviews

A.H. Weiler
May 9, 2005
A.H. Weiler, New York Times

Mr. Bertolucci's dissections reveal the lying and viciousness common to these beasts in the human jungle. Full Review

J. R. Jones
March 5, 2005
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader

The result is stylish and occasionally haunting. Full Review

Fernando F. Croce
November 17, 2009
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion

Bernardo Bertolucci the poet, declaring a change of medium Full Review

February 9, 2006
Time Out

Offers more than filmographic interest. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
January 23, 2006
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Never loses its grip on the viewer. Full Review

Christopher Null
February 15, 2005
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

strangely lacking, despite its salacious premise Full Review

Emanuel Levy
August 7, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Rumsey Taylor
March 5, 2005
Rumsey Taylor, Not Coming to a Theater Near You

Click to read the article Full Review

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