Io la conoscevo bene

This movie is very well know in Italy and certainly not a "hidden" masterpiece. Stefania Sandrelli gives a star-making performance as Adriana, the silly country girl who tries to navigate waters much too deep and dangerous for her intellectual level.

Adriana is rather ignorant and shallow, but pretty, outgoing and sensual and tries to climb the ladder of success "helped" by several men. Along the way, she has lots of flirts with despicable guys, among which one with Dario. The two spend a weekend at the beach and then Dario leaves her with the bill to pay, for which Adriana must use a bracelet Dario gave her.

This episode underlines not only Adriana's naivety, but also her lack of self-respect. After having been informed by the police that Dario is a gigolo and a thief and the bracelet he gave her stolen, she laughs and takes his defence.

The despicable male characters include famous actor Roberto and "talent scout" Cianfanna. It's most depressing to see the level of moral bankruptcy shared by all the show-biz characters. Only a boxer and a mechanic lack the cynicism of those working in the entertainment industry.

Adriana herself is just a pretty face with an empty head, devoid of self-awareness and pursuing a vague idea of 'success". She listens non-stop to silly pop music, loves dancing and doesn't mind having casual sex, but cannot even make a career out of prostitution, lacking the necessary cunning.

Unrooted from her country background, without any stable relations, without even the awareness of her loneliness, Adriana is just one of the million youngsters pursuing a sterile rebellion without a cause, which eventually will lead to her demise.