some films are very easy to toss off. not taking into consideration the thought, time, and trouble the auteur put into the project, if it doesn't please, it is dismissed. the poetically named filmmaker, pier paolo pasolini, had detractors from all sides.
his beautifully cast 1968 film, 'teorema' was banned in italy. being that there is no 'sexual' nudity, it must have been the moral issue. an entire family's worth of morality crumbles away due to a short visit from a young friend played by terrence stamp. as the character had to have the power to seduce everyone in sight, he had better be appealing, right? one of italian cinema's legends, silvano magnano, is the hapless wealthy wife who falls under his spell, followed by her children, her husband, her maid.
the most striking characteristic of the visitor is his kindness and appearance of sympathy. the mess they all make of their lives in reaction to his leaving appears inevitable.
this movie is beautiful on the eyes, part intense color, part silent film. as pasolini was a master at showcasing his own demons and desires onscreen, i do not offer this as a recommendation. however, the artistry is undeniable.
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