While on a business trip to Florence, Roman landscape architect Giulio Marengo meets Francesca, a lively college student, and spends the night with her. Soon afterwards, an acquaintance hints that the young woman might be his daughter, since Giulio had been involved with her mother years earlier. Meanwhile, his own family faces its own troubles. The film moves between desire, doubt and responsibility within an age-gap romance.

How it was made

A co-production of Spain, Italy and France, directed by Alberto Lattuada, who co-wrote the script with Enrico Oldoini. Filming took place in and around Florence, at locations such as Piazza San Giovanni, Piazza San Marco and the Boboli Gardens, while the opening titles were shot at Villa La Pietra. The score is by Ennio Morricone, who had worked with the director before, and the cinematography is by José Luis Alcaine. The soundtrack includes the love theme « Amore per Amore » and two disco tracks.

Reception and legacy

Critics praised Nastassja Kinski's performance above all, though opinions were divided. Janet Maslin of The New York Times found the tone at times smarmy and the plot often seemed a mere pretext for its amorous encounters. Kinski was 17 during the shoot, and her nude scenes sparked controversy, which she has later criticised on several occasions. The film received a limited release in the United States.

Stills

Trivia

A minor on set

Nastassja Kinski was 17 during filming, which made her nude scenes a focus of controversy. Over the years she has voiced her disagreement with them.

Disco in the soundtrack

Besides the love theme « Amore per Amore », the soundtrack includes two disco tracks, « Dance On » and « Spazio 1999 », which is unusual for Ennio Morricone's work.

More films by Alberto Lattuada

Variety Lights1950

Mafioso1962

Anna1951 The Beach1954The Beach1954 Letters by a Novice1960Letters by a Novice1960 The Mandrake1965The Mandrake1965

Original Cinematopedia text based on Wikipedia (en) and Wikidata.