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The Magnificent Cuckold

Name: The Magnificent Cuckold
Director: Antonio Pietrangeli
Released: 1964
Duration: 119 min

Representation Score

2.1/10

Limited

1964

Director

Antonio Pietrangeli

Runtime

119 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Pietrangeli’s work offers a sophisticated psychological study that challenges mid-century social expectations. While the film lacks demographic diversity, it successfully deconstructs traditional masculine authority through its character arcs. The narrative shifts power from the husband to the wife, moving away from patriarchal ideals. This focus on female empowerment provides a meaningful layer of social critique despite the limited cast diversity. Ultimately, the film is a character study of the upper-middle class. It prioritizes the breakdown of social facades over a diverse representation of different identities.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Magnificent Cuckold have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisgender characters. It operates within a framework that assumes everyone is straight and cisgender.

How does The Magnificent Cuckold portray gender?

Good

The story challenges traditional gender roles by focusing on the husband's psychological decline. Maria gains significant control over the plot as she responds to his infidelity.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Magnificent Cuckold?

Minimal

The cast is primarily white and European, reflecting the 1960s Roman setting. There is no ethnic diversity or non-human metaphors present.

How does The Magnificent Cuckold represent religion and culture?

Fair

The narrative critiques the bourgeois lifestyle and the myth of the perfect marriage. It avoids promoting a single, idealized Christian morality.

Does The Magnificent Cuckold include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no visible or invisible disabilities portrayed in the film. Characters with disabilities are not used as narrative devices.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional gender roles by showing the husband's descent into obsessive jealousy.
Empowers the female lead through her retaliatory response to marital betrayal.
Provides a nuanced critique of bourgeois social facades and domestic hypocrisy.

Limited or Absent

Lacks racial and ethnic diversity, reflecting a homogenous 1960s Roman milieu.
Does not include any representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisgender gender expressions.
Features no characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Andrea Artusi is a successful businessman with a beautiful wife, Maria, and a happy marriage - until he has an affair. After his own cheating, he starts to become obsessed with his wife's fidelity. Since she is one of the most desired women in town, he worries that it would be very easy for her to cheat on him. Now every time a man looks at his wife, Andrea goes crazy. Meanwhile, Maria finds out about her husband's affair and decides to plan her revenge.

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