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The Couples

Name: The Couples
Director: Alberto Sordi, Mario Monicelli, Vittorio De Sica
Released: 1970
Duration: 121 min

Representation Score

6.8/10

Good

1970

Director

Alberto Sordi, Mario Monicelli, Vittorio De Sica

Runtime

121 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film serves as a satirical deconstruction of the nuclear family and social institutions in a modernizing Italy. It employs class conflict and moral relativism to challenge the stability of traditional social structures. While the film lacks demographic variety in terms of race and sexual orientation, it excels in its cultural critique. It explores the oppressive weight of consumerism and the superficial nature of the elite class. Ultimately, the work prioritizes the subversion of social hierarchies and gender roles over explicit representation of underrepresented identities.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Couples have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film does not include explicit LGBTQ+ identities or explore non-binary gender expressions. Instead, it focuses on heterosexual relationships, including marriage and infidelity, without delving into queer perspectives.

How does The Couples portray gender?

Good

Female characters play significant roles in driving the story, such as a wife willing to engage in sex work for economic reasons. The film also breaks down traditional gender stereotypes by showing shared psychological vulnerabilities among characters.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Couples?

Limited

The film portrays a predominantly homogeneous Italian society, emphasizing class conflicts and socioeconomic tensions rather than racial or ethnic diversity.

How does The Couples represent religion and culture?

Good

The film provides a sharp critique of capitalism and the luxurious lifestyle of the elite. It replaces traditional Christian morality with a perspective that portrays characters driven by necessity and instinct.

Does The Couples include disability representation?

Fair

The film does not intentionally represent physical or neurodivergent disabilities. Characters' limitations are shaped by socioeconomic and psychological pressures rather than inherent disabilities.

Present on Screen

Sophisticated critique of capitalism and consumerist desires.
Challenges traditional gender roles and domestic clichés.
Complex portrayal of characters driven by survival instincts.

Limited or Absent

Lack of explicit LGBTQ+ representation or exploration of queer identities.
Limited racial and ethnic diversity in the narrative.
No intentional representation of disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Three episodes. Episode 1 - The Refrigerator (Monicelli). A married couple of two poor emigrant workers spend almost all their money to buy a refrigerator (a must in the '70s). The purchase is too expensive for their family balance sheet. To earn some money they decide to go for prostitution. The wife is not so unhappy to the perspective. Episode 2 - The Room (Sordi). To celebrate ten years of marriage a couple decides to spend a quick holiday in top luxury hotels in Sardinia. But the fashion luxury VIP world is too hard to enter; they soon will end in prison. Episode 3 - The Lion (De Sica). Two adulterous, Antonio and Giulia, are blocked by a lion, staying on the exit in the place they met. They both have to come back home, but couldn't move because of the lion’s presence. The critical situation soon drives them to their limit, revealing their real essence.

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