You are here:
The Second Time

The Second Time

1995

Director

Mimmo Calopresti

Runtime

77 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

A convicted terrorist out on parole meets a man she nearly murdered 15 years before, without recognizing him. He does so, but he chooses to keep quiet and spend time with her—desperate to understand the reasons behind her gesture.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

6.5/10

Good


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Fair

The film avoids standard romantic tropes by focusing on unconventional interpersonal connections. However, there is no explicit evidence of non-heteronormative identities within the narrative.

Gender Representation

Good

A female protagonist occupies a role of extreme agency and violence typically reserved for male anti-heroes. This challenges traditional expectations of femininity through a complex, autonomous presence.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Fair

The production context suggests a cast reflecting the demographic realities of mid-90s Italy. There is no evidence of significant racial blending or non-majority casting.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Excellent

The narrative prioritizes subjective morality and critiques rigid, punitive state structures. It treats ideological motivations with nuance rather than through a lens of absolute morality.

Disability Representation

Minimal

The film provides no evidence regarding the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Strengths

  • Subverts traditional gender roles by centering a female anti-hero with high agency.
  • Challenges retributive justice through a sophisticated, nuanced approach to morality.
  • Avoids predictable thriller tropes in favor of deep psychological inquiry.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lacks explicit representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-heteronormative connections.
  • Shows no evidence of racial or ethnic diversity within the cast.
  • Provides no visible engagement with disability representation.

AI Analysis

Mimmo Calopresti’s drama succeeds by disrupting the traditional hero/villain binary. Instead of a revenge thriller, the film offers a psychological study of restorative justice and moral relativism. It centers on a quiet, observational encounter that deconstructs the victim/perpetrator dichotomy. The film's strength lies in its refusal to adhere to conventional moral binaries. By focusing on the motivations behind a violent act rather than simple retribution, it explores the complexities of human identity and systemic friction. However, the film remains limited by its lack of visible diversity in racial and LGBTQ+ categories. While it subverts gendered expectations, it does not appear to expand its scope to include broader demographic representation.

How are these scores produced? →

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.