Man in Disorder: The Cinema of Lina Wertmüller in the 1970s (Troubador Italian Studies)

Man in Disorder: The Cinema of Lina Wertmüller in the 1970s (Tro...

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Editorial Reviews

Despite the phenomenal international success that Italian director Lina Wertmuller attained in the 1970s with films such as Swept Away and Seven Beauties, there has been no full length in-depth study of her four major films. This book fills that inexplicable void in the scholarship of Italian cinema.

Customer Reviews

A Must Read Book

Reviewed by R. Saraceni, 2007-07-08

You don't have to be familiar with the cinema of Lina Wertmuller, one of Italy's most controversial directors, to enjoy this intelligent and absorbing book. The author skillfully guides you through an exploration of Wertmuller's four huge box office hits of the 1970s commenting on and elucidating Wertmuller's trenchant social criticism. Scholarly yet still entertaining (a rare combination of writing virtues), this is a must read book that will leave you with a greater understanding of why Wertmuller became the first woman director to be nominated for an Oscar. On a lighter note, the book is complemented by fascinating photos of Wertmuller directing her perennial stars, Giancarlo Giannini and Mariangela Melato. You won't be disappointed.

Fascinating!

Reviewed by A. Senior, 2007-06-25

If you remember Italian director Lina Wertmuller's biting commentary in 1970s films such as Swept Away, The Seduction of Mimi and Seven Beauties, you've probably wondered, whatever happened to her? And you've probably wondered why there were no full length books written about her films. Well, here finally is a long-awaited gem. This is a well constructed and invaluable book that although written by a scholar, and therefore impeccably researched, is also entertaining and "readable." This book is a testament to Russo-Bullaro's intelligent, eloquent but approachable style of writing and I recommend it highly to all readers. It also includes an interview with Lina Wertmuller that the author did right before publication (2006) and brings the reader up to date with what the director has been doing and how her ideas have changed since the 1970s.