Overview
A passionate anarchist's mission for justice gets tangled in the complexities of love and desire.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- bawdy
- ironic
- melancholic
- classic cinema night
- political film discussion
What critics said
Critics broadly regard it as a skillfully directed, vividly photographed tragicomedy whose colorful vignettes deepen the irony and pathos of political sacrifice.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The brothel's ribald interactions and Tunin's revolutionary mission are played through irony, vulgarity, and social observation.
Tunin arrives prepared to assassinate Mussolini but becomes emotionally divided after falling for Tripolina.
Salomè's workplace shelters Tunin and provides the social environment in which his mission and romantic conflict unfold.
The reception specifically praises the substance and color of Wertmüller's vignettes and Rotunno's cinematography.
Films like Love and Anarchy, and why
The Conformist
shares politically charged tragicomedy, anti-fascist themes, and a collision between revolutionary ideals and intimate desire
The Seduction of Mimi
shares bawdy social satire, heightened tragicomic tone, and a period setting shaped by authoritarian politics
The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie
shares anarchic political comedy, romantic entanglement, and irreverent criticism of social institutions
Belle de Jour
shares a brothel setting, sensual melancholy, and emotionally charged social drama centered on marginalized women
Movie Details
- Director
- Lina Wertmüller
- Release Date
- 1973-02-23
- Runtime
- 126 min
- Rating
- 7.7 / 10 (121)
Cast
- Giancarlo Giannini
- Mariangela Melato
- Lina Polito
- Eros Pagni
- Pina Cei
- Elena Fiore
- Giuliana Calandra
- Isa Bellini
- Isa Danieli
- Enrica Bonaccorti
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Kino Film Collection
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, MovieMe
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Love and Anarchy about?
- A fervent anarchist's planned assassination of Mussolini unravels into a volatile encounter with love, sex, and the human cost of revolutionary sacrifice.
- What is Love and Anarchy like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Love and Anarchy as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Love and Anarchy violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Love and Anarchy as mild.
- What did critics think of Love and Anarchy?
- Critics broadly regard it as a skillfully directed, vividly photographed tragicomedy whose colorful vignettes deepen the irony and pathos of political sacrifice.
- Which films are like Love and Anarchy?
- Films with a similar feel include The Conformist, The Seduction of Mimi, The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, and Belle de Jour.
- How long is Love and Anarchy?
- Love and Anarchy runs 126 minutes.
- Where can I watch Love and Anarchy?
- In United States, Love and Anarchy streams on Kino Film Collection.
