A Pure Formality

Critics Consensus

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80%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 5

88%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 2,020
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Movie Info

In this eccentric Italian-French comedy, novelist Onoff is found dementedly running through the forest and is picked up by the police for questioning. Having just found a mutilated body in the woods, the cops suspect that Onoff is the killer. Although he claims he is innocent, Onoff is thoroughly interrogated.
  • Rating:
    PG-13
  • Genre:
    Art House & International, Drama, Mystery & Suspense
  • Directed By:
    Giuseppe Tornatore
  • Written By:
    Giuseppe Tornatore, Pascal Quignard
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Cast

Gérard Depardieu
as Onoff
Roman Polanski
as Inspector
Sergio Rubini
as Young Policeman
Paolo Lombardi
as Warrant Officer
Tano Cimarosa
as Janitor
Maria Rosa Spagnolo
as Paola
Sebastiano Filocamo
Massimo Vanni
Nicola Di Pinto
as Captain
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Critic Reviews for A Pure Formality

All Critics (5) | Top Critics (1) | Fresh (4) | Rotten (1)

View All Critic Reviews (5)

Audience Reviews for A Pure Formality

  • May 04, 2011
    Many say that the movie is underrated, but if it's so, it's reasonable. Most of the public in general won't be able to figure out wtf the whole movie was about (sometimes, even spoon-feeding becomes inevitable.....and that goes for me too). The movie also leaves you with many questions unanswered, which also, IMO, is not welcomed by general viewer. As for me, I was impressed with the way the movie moved forward, but as soon as I began to get signs of symbolism, I was kinda put off. After that point, I watched the rest of the movie for a pure formality. Besides, the ending of the movie isn't epic either (based on the assumption that I got it right). So there would be an elite group reserved for this 'different' kind of cinema that would be able to appreciate it, but I can't say how many of the rest would.
    familiar s Super Reviewer
  • Nov 24, 2009
    Well directed & acted & fun to watch but nothing more, The twist doesn't work well & it spoils the film's intensity & seriousness & makes the whole thing a bit ridiculous
    Arash X Super Reviewer
  • Jun 07, 2008
    Outstanding. This film is among Tornatore's best. The music by Morricone is spectacular and the direction is top-notch. This film INSPIRED two of the most popular PG-13 modern horror/thriller films, but I can't mention them, or I would be spoiling this gem entirely. Essential viewing. 80/100
    Edgar C Super Reviewer
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