MovieChat Forums > Rocco e i suoi fratelli (1961) Discussion > Bad acting

Bad acting

posted 13 years ago by chapmanshomer
13 replies | jump to latest

I now understand why melodrama has negative connotations. While the film had many redeeming features such as locations and music, the much talked about end sequence was ridiculous. The acting was appalling in scenes of emotional intensity, and while I am very much a fan of the old school of acting, this is a film which could have benefited from the method acting of Marlon Brando or Robert DeNiro.

Actors like Robert Mitchum, Jean Gabin, Marcello Mastroianni, Alain Delon and Humphrey Bogart have style, panache and cool in abundance, and while I am a big fan of them, I do not think them capable of the dramatic scenes required in Rocco. While much can be said for the decline in film, in this aspect things have improved. Distress, disturbance and anger can be portrayed more convincingly today.

Don't get me wrong, I still prefer Mitchum to someone like Edward Norton any day

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"truly, my Satan, thou art but a dunce"-William Blake

[–] henrimaine 9 years ago

I have encountered several discussions about how acting in contemporary movies is more realistic and natural, while in older movies it is overdone and theatrical. As I watch older movies, I have often felt like I have to agree with that criticism of older movies. But I didn't really felt that to be a problem in Rocco and His Brothers. That's because there's a good reason for people in this movie to act theatrical. They are Italians, what else did you expect? All that loud crying at the end seemed reasonably natural for Italians.

[–] samoanjoes (58585) 5 years ago

Most Italian movies are like that.