THE PRIEST'S WIFE

Italy, 1970, 106 minutes, Colour.
Sophia Loren, Marcello Mastroianni.
Directed by Dino Risi.

The Priest's Wife was quite topical in its day, the early 1970's. There was much discussion about celibacy for the Catholic clergy in the light of the reforms of the Second Vatican Council. This was particularly pressing in Italy where dispensations from the priesthood are processed. Italy was in the middle of civil changes of law with referenda on divorce and abortion.

Director of the film is Dino Risi, a prolific director of sardonic comedies on the Italian way of life. Light comedies in the '60s, getting more serious during the '70s. He made many films with actor Vittorio Gassman, including Profumo di Donna, Anima Persa, Viva Italia. In this film he uses Italy's two most popular stars with moralising purpose. However, the story is fairly conventional and exaggerated. The stars are not exactly at home with the material, though Sophia Loren looks quite dashing in clerical dress, literally! The film does make some points about the discussion on clerical celibacy but seems hesitant in its resolution. The priest finally succumbs to power in the Church. There is a lot of irony in the ending and it is difficult to judge what is the point of view of the director. However, as a comment on a discussion which was particularly strong at the time, this film has some interest.

1. The significance of the title, its tone? Provocative and controversial? Scandalous? The impact in Italy, throughout the world? 1970? Later years? The resolution of the problems in the light of the Second Vatican Council?

2. The popularity of the stars, their style? Their performing in this film? The atmosphere of romance and glamour? Linking it with the church and law and celibacy? The director and his capacity for parody, sardonic comment on Italian society? The film as Italian sex farce: traditions, mistaken identity, farcical situations, humorous dialogue? The blending of civil questions, personal questions, religious questions and law?

3. Audience attitude toward clerical celibacy? The long tradition? The challenge in the '60s and '70s? The appeal for changes in the law? The realities of clerical celibacy, its being lived out, ideals and reality? The role of law and the possibility of change? The reputation of the Italian clergy? The Italian people's attitude towards the clergy, tolerance and criticisms of hypocrisy? Is the film making a case for relaxing of the laws against celibacy? How valid is this case?

4. The purpose of the film, a criticism, realism and authentic presentation of a situation, satire and parody? The blend of these? Message?

5. Sophia Loren's glamour as Valeria? The farce of the opening, the chase, the visuals of the cars? Valeria as wilful? The attempted suicide? Her ringing and talking with Don Mario? The hospital visit? Her preoccupation with Don Mario? Reaction to his being a priest? Reaction to him as a man? Her falling in love with him, their going out together and the humour of the shy celibate? Meals, car trips etc.? The nature of the attraction? Did she set out to seduce him? Her attitude to wards the church and its law?

6. The contrast with Don Mario and his work at the Lifeline Centre? His offering a helping hand, his voice, manner? Dress? The visit to the hospital? His attraction towards Valeria? The outings? His resistance? The arguments? Why did he succumb to Valeria?

7. The film's detailing the outings, the provocative and suggestive aspects? The irony of the romantic stars appearing in the clerical situation?

8. The build-up to the request for dispensation? Mario's mother and her reaction? Valeria and the contact with the Cardinal? Her pushiness?

9. The importance of showing Don Mario's mother's reaction? The reaction of many of the audience?

10. Valeria and her hopes, the plans? Their living together? Mario's expectations? Her eagerness that he go to Rome?

11. What happened to Don Mario in Rome? His change of heart? The delays and the blockings, the diplomacy? Their giving Don Mario an office? Corrupting him with status?

12. The film's attitude towards Don Mario's choice? Supporting him in his choice of celibacy? His motives? His leaving Valeria? His being trapped by Rome? The open-endedness of the film? What was Valeria left with ? and audience sympathy for her? What had Mario gained and audience attitudes towards his choice?