THE TIGER AND THE PUSSYCAT
US/Italy, 1967, 90 minutes, Colour.
Vittorio Gassman, Ann Margret, Eleanor Parker.
Directed by Dino Risi.
The Tiger and the Pussycat is a film by Dino Risi. Risi has produced quite a number of effective satirical comedies on the Italian way of life. often he has had Vittorio Gassman as his leading actor - The Scent of the Woman, Anima Persa, Viva Italia. The tone of this comedy is more of the '60s - the dash of psychedelic colour, the verve with the music, the hectic pace of the romance. Vittorio Gassman represents the middle-aged Italian. Eleanor Parker, in black wig, is a piece of unusual casting as his wife. However, Ann Margret is the leading lady. She appears as a young girl - though it is not easy to see how she could persuade Gassman to leave his wife. There is satiric comedy and parody of the Italian manner and way of life. It was probably more effective in its time - and the material is the perennial older man infatuated with young girl.
1. The title and its tone, the stars? Italians and Americans? An international production of the '60s?
2. The perennial them of the older man attracted by the young girl, his dissatisfaction with his marriage? The '60s and their presentation of marriages and divorces, Italian style? This film fitting into the pattern? Its Italian appeal, universal appeal?
3. Vittorio Gassman as representing the Italian male? His style and manner and presence? Middle age? Seeing him within his family, at work? And yet his fantasies and imagination and the indications that he was dissatisfied and would be seeking something else, someone else? His son and his tantrums? The visit to Carolina and her mother? The infatuation, Carolina throwing herself at him? His resistance, his succumbing? The effect on him and his work, family life? Going out, dancing, his trying to be younger? His slackness in his work? His denials, dismissal, dependence on his friend Tazio? His final dilemma?
4. Luca and his relationship with Carolina, his sardonic observation of his father, e.g. meeting him in the park? The daughter and her husband? Esperia and her devotion to her husband, the domestic sequences ? e.g. the comedy of his return and having to hide when Luca was explaining himself? Esperia and the neighbours, her chatter, seeking advice from her friends? The decision to pretend not to notice? Her reaction to seeing her husband on the television? Her long suffering? Her breakdown when he was leaving? Her decision to pretend that nothing had happened? The films satiric comment on the realities of marital difficulties, family tensions? The cover-up?
5. Tazio and his friendship with Francesco? The encounter and Tazio being down and out, Francesco's rushing off, his helping him? The reversal of roles and Tazio helping Francesco? The resolution at the end?
6. Francesco and his work, his ruining his career and his reaction to this?
7. The portrait of Carolina - Ann Margret's style, sensuality? The young girl, being wilful, the seduction? Her wiles in order to ensnare Francesca? The outings, dancing, skiing? The irony of her age and her infatuation with the pop group? Her final tantrum after the outing with her father?
8. Carolina's mother and her attraction towards Francesco, trying to console him?
9. Francesco's decision to leave - Tazio bringing Carolina to him in the aftermath of the fight? The decision to leave, the letter to Espiria, the station?
10. The irony of Francesco leaving the train and discovering Carolina had left? The details of the final cover-up and the family back to normal?
11. The blend of farcical situations, satirical characterisations, comedy? How much truth told in this kind of sex comedy?
