A Leap in the Dark main backdrop
A Leap in the Dark main poster

A Leap in the Dark

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6.2/10 • 27

1980-02-141h 54m

Drama

Mauro, a judge, is worried about his older sister Marta, who took care of him since he was a boy, and now suffers from mental illness and suicidal thoughts. She seems to recover from her depression when Mauro acquaints her with Giovanni, a brilliant actor at the edge of legality. However, Mauro becomes unconsciously jealous of their relationship.

Directors
Marco Bellocchio
Editors
Brigitte Sousselier

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Michel Piccoli

    Michel Piccoli

    Mauro Ponticelli

  2. Anouk Aimée

    Anouk Aimée

    Marta Ponticelli

  3. Michele Placido

    Michele Placido

    Giovanni Sciabola

  4. Gisella Burinato

    Gisella Burinato

    Anna

  5. Antonio Piovanelli

    Antonio Piovanelli

    Quasimodo

  6. Anna Orso

    Anna Orso

    Marilena

  7. Giampaolo Saccarola

    Giampaolo Saccarola

    Insane Brother

  8. Adriana Pecorelli

    Adriana Pecorelli

    Sonia

  9. Franca Maria De Monti

    Franca Maria De Monti

Reviews1

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CinemaSerf Avatar

CinemaSerf

May 25, 2024

7/10

Yikes, but what part of the Italian legal establishment doesn't come in for some pillorying from Marco Bellochio in this film? It all centres around judge "Mauro" (Michel Piccoli) and his ailing sister "Marta" (Anouk Aimée) who has pretty much brought him up. She isn't coping so well with reality and is frequently prone to suicidal flights of fancy until, that is, he introduces her to the rather roguish actor "Giovanni" (Michele Placido) to whom she takes a bit of a shine. It's the first time her brother hasn't been the sole focus of her attentions since they were children, so despite himself he starts to become a little jealous. He's not a man without influence around town, so decides to use that to ensure that this little fly in his familial ointment is duly swatted. There's a grand dynamic between the three characters as they are used to take swipes at family politics, envy and resentment and we also manage to have a go at some entertainingly small town provincial politics, petty corruption and eccentricities as this two hours really does fly by. It does play a little to stereotypes of age and attitude at times, and is maybe just a bit over-scripted but it's a slightly quirkier look at flawed domesticity and Aimée looks like she enjoyed herself for most of it.

Media

  • A Leap in the Dark poster

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Status
Released
Original Language
Italian
Budget
--
Revenue
--
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