Il conformista
"A dazzling movie."
The Conformist - Movie Quotes
Memorable Quotes
I'm going to build a life that's normal. I'm marrying a petty bourgeoise.
— Marcello Clerici
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.
— Professor Quadri
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!
— Manganiello
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.
— Marcello Clerici
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.