It was one of those movies that I ended up enjoying very much. Although while watching it, I could not decide whether I was loving or hating it. Then I realized that I hated it and it got under my skin because I found the character of Bruno thoroughly despicable. Especially when they visit's Roberto's family in the country, he is revealed to be particularly cruel and mean spirited and yet still be devilishly charming. Great acting by Vittorio Gassman, when you forget that it's acting and start believing in the person he is portraying. Jean-Louis Trintignant was also perfect as his nebbishy foil.
I can understand that this movie would not be to everyone's liking, but it sounds like reverse snobbery if it is made fun of as people will only force themselves to watch it because it's "art". I'd venture to say that all movies are "art" and like art, different expressions of it appeal to different people for different reasons. By the same token film snobs who use the "Transformers" insult to put down people who criticize their favorite "art house" film are just as narrow minded.
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