Fists in the Pocket

Synopsis

Fists in the Pocket (I pugni in tasca) is a provocative 1965 Italian drama directed by Marco Bellocchio, starring Lou Castel. The film delves into the troubled life of a young man named Alessandro, who grapples with his dysfunctional family in a decaying provincial town. Amidst chaos and malaise, Alessandro confronts the deep-rooted tensions and dark secrets within his family, exposing the fragile dynamics that underpin their relationships. With its raw and incisive portrayal of mental illness, societal expectations, and rebellion, the film serves as a bold critique of bourgeois morality and the oppressive suburban environment. A striking example of Italian new wave cinema, Fists in the Pocket challenges audiences with its unsettling yet compelling narrative.

Cast

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  Lou Castel

  Alessandro

• 

  Paola Pitagora

  Giulia

• 

  Marino Masé

  Augusto

• 

  Liliana Gerace

  Mother

• Pier Luigi Troglio

  Leone

• Jeannie McNeil

  Lucia

Reviews

Fists in the Pocket has garnered acclaim for its bold storytelling and intense character study, earning a solid 7.6/10 rating on IMDb and a remarkable 93% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics praise the film for its daring exploration of family dysfunction and psychological turmoil, often highlighting Marco Bellocchio’s directorial debut as a masterpiece of Italian cinema. The New York Times lauded the film’s raw emotional power and Lou Castel’s compelling performance, noting that it “breaks conventional narrative norms with an unsettling yet captivating tale.” On Rotten Tomatoes, the consensus emphasizes its audacity and relevance, describing it as “a fearless critique of familial and societal constraints.” While the film’s dark themes and disturbing content may challenge some viewers, many critics appreciate its unflinching honesty and artistic innovation. Metacritic does not provide an official score but echoes similar sentiments in user reviews, praising the film as a seminal work that remains striking decades later. Overall, Fists in the Pocket stands out as a daring, psychologically charged classic with enduring influence in the realm of arthouse cinema.

See also

Following

Mank

Yojimbo

Darkman