I Vitelloni [The Young and the Passionate] ***** (1953, Alberto Sordi, Franco Fabrizi, Franco Interlenghi, Leopoldo Trieste, Riccardo Fellini) – Classic Movie Review 5509

Co-writer/ director Federico Fellini’s haunting, fascinatingly self-reflecting film from 1953 focuses on a group of five laddish youngster friends – Moraldo Rubini (Franco Interlenghi), Fausto Moretti (Franco Fabrizi), Alberto (Alberto Sordi), Leopoldo Vannucci (Leopoldo Trieste), Riccardo (Riccardo Fellini) – growing up in the small Northern Italian seaside town of Rimini.

It is Fellini’s second film as solo director, following The White Sheik (1952) and co-directing Variety Lights (1951).

Teenage angst of course runs wild in Rimini. Fausto seduces Sandra Rubini (Leonora Ruffo), Moraldo’s sister and is forced to marry her. And finally one of the lads, Moraldo Rubini, breaks free and travels to Rome, where he later becomes reincarnated as Marcello Rubini, the protagonist of Fellini’s La Dolce Vita (1960), played by Marcello Mastroianni.

This beautifully shot, closely observed, deeply felt nostalgic tale of adolescence certainly echoes Fellini’s own early years of growing up in Rimini and the Moraldo character is clearly obviously intended as an semi-autobiographical portrait.

With the inspired writing and shooting, the wonderful performances from the whole cast help to make this a highly enjoyable and entertaining film. It is crisp, clear, direct and delivered straight from the heart.

Also in the cast are Lída Baarová, Arlette Sauavge, Maja Nipora, Jean Brochard, Gigetta Morano, Claude Farrell, Carlo Romano, Enrico Viaisio, Paola Borboni, Achille Majeroni, Silvio Bagolini, Guido Martufi and Vira Silenti.

It runs 109 minutes, is made by Peg-Film, Cité and API, is written by Federico Fellini, Ennio Flaiano (story and screenplay) and Tullio Pinelli (story), is shot in black and white by Otello Martelli, Luciano Trasatti and Carlo Carlini, is produced by Lorenzo Pegoraro and Mario De Vecchi, is scored by Fellini favourite Nino Rota and is set designed by Mario Chiari.

Fellini explained the title: ‘The unemployed of the middle class, mother’s pets. They shine during the holiday season, and waiting for it takes up the rest of the year.’

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 5509

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