Il conformista
"A dazzling movie."
Director: Bernardo Bertolucci
Cast: Jean-Louis Trintignant, Stefania Sandrelli, Gastone Moschin, Dominique Sanda, Enzo Tarascio
The Conformist — Movie Quotes
Memorable Quotes
I'm going to build a life that's normal. I'm marrying a petty bourgeoise.
Context
Marcello is speaking during his confession to a priest, rationalizing his impending marriage to Giulia.
Meaning
This exposes his hollow motivation for marriage. He does not seek a romantic partner, but rather a societal prop to validate his disguise.
Really serious people are never serious.
Context
Said in Paris when discussing Marcello's demeanor as a student.
Meaning
Highlights the absurdity of fascist rigidity compared to true intellectual freedom and philosophical curiosity.
Cowards, homosexuals, Jews – they're all the same thing! If it were up to me, I'd stand them all against a wall!
Context
The fascist agent Manganiello expresses his disgust while waiting in the car during the mission.
Meaning
Showcases the brutal, unvarnished bigotry of the fascist regime, serving as a dark mirror to Marcello's own internal conflicts and repressed fears.
They're all very moral maladies.
Context
Marcello says this to Giulia's mother after she lists the mundane childhood illnesses Giulia has survived.
Meaning
Demonstrates his pathological obsession with aligning everything—even biological facts and childhood illnesses—with a rigid, acceptable moral order.
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