Un maledetto imbroglio

While investigating a jewelry theft and a murder on Via Merulana in Rome, detective Ingravallo (Pietro Germi) comes across altered wills, suspect alibis and telltale letters. The film is based on a book by Carlo Emilio Gadda, a depiction of Roman society and its social structures shaped across different linguistic levels that forms a key work of the Italian modern. Pietro Germi’s adaptation is one of the big successes of the Italian thriller genre and was “a revelation” for Claudia Cardinale. Although she only played a supporting role, Pier Paolo Pasolini emphasized her work in his review: “His entire discussion of the film was based on the analysis of my gaze. He said I had a way of observing that was unique, a three-quarter view from the corner of my eye.” (CC) (hjf)