Overrated because its Italian? (spoilers)
Seriously, this movie isn't that great.
- Cinematography is very standard, mostly medium shots to cover all the dialog.
- The scenario is too obvious in its stereotypes, and too explanatory. For instance: Ciro explaining who represents the good and the bad at the end.
- The end of this movie, with Simone coming home, is just a hilarious crying frenzy.
Some thoughts on why it seems old-fashioned/reactionary (possibly even back then):
- Moral: better get some education so you can work in the factory.
- Moral: life was better on the countryside.
- The boxing scenes were terrible. Even Charlie Chaplin's punches in City Lights seemed more realistic (being made 30 years before this one).
- Ridiculously Catholic: Simone just murdered Rocco's sort-of-girlfriend. Ciro wants to call the cops. Rocco, crying in the arms of the man that just killed his girl (?!), doesn't think it's a good idea (!): he don't believe in the laws of men.. But when his mother curses, he hysterically cries: 'Don't curse, mom!'
- The depiction of women is just silly, it makes Hitchcock's Marnie seem feminist. For instance: Rocco mostly feels sorry for himself when his brother almost rapes his girlfriend out of jealousy. As a solution Rocco tells the girl she should be his brother's girl again. She obeys..
- Admitted, Alain Delon is great, and so is the music. But 3 hours is a very long time. Looking past the exotic 'Italian cinema' predicate, I think its just not that good..