Before the Revolution(EM Retro)

A young middle-class intellectual who dreams of communist revolution defies arranged marriage fiercely, but feels helpless facing his best friend's suicide and an illicit love; he wanders between the comforts of tradition and the temptations of rebellion. Making his second feature at the age of 23, Bertolucci captures the ideology honeymoon phase before Italy's turbulent times. He sees through the cowardice of the self-contradictory bourgeoisie and starts his lifelong exploration of Marxian and Freudian ideas. From narrative to cinematography, there are traces of the French New Wave everywhere. Film critic Pauline Kael praises the scores for their diversity and creativity, which is comparable to that of Jules and Jim.