Imagine this: a painter, a priest, and their tough friend enter the wild world of 1970s Italy. This is the setup for The Big Fake, a heist thriller based on the life of an art forger in a turbulent time. Directed by Stefano Lodovichi, this film dives into the chaotic backdrop of Italy’s political struggles during a decade marked by kidnappings and violence.
The real-life forger’s story escalated into a major bank robbery in the ’80s. In the movie, our main character, an anti-hero named Toni (played by Pietro Castellitto), encounters everything from mob deals to the serious political kidnapping of Prime Minister Aldo Moro by the Red Brigades. The film illustrates the unsettling blend of crime and art, raising the question: What will you do to achieve your dreams?
Toni starts his journey with grand aspirations, hoping to be recognized as a great painter. His art dealer, Donata (Giulia Michelini), acknowledges his talent but suggests he’s too conventional for the modern art scene. In a twist, she encourages him to use his skill for forgery, suggesting he could copy iconic paintings. Toni brags about his abilities, but we’re left in the dark about how much skill he really possesses. The film overlooks the artistry involved in painting, focusing instead on the shady dealings that precede a failed heist.
The drama intensifies as Toni interacts with the Italian underworld. He finds himself in situations requiring fake passports and forged ransom notes for hostages. One surprising detail is that Toni’s blending into this dark world comes with many moral compromises. For instance, he steals bikes, cheats on Donata, and rushes through projects for mobsters—all part of his desperate climb to the top.
Father Vittorio, the priest, has dreams of climbing the Vatican ranks, and Fabione, their rugged friend, gets entangled in the revolutionary chaos of the Red Brigades. As the film unfolds, the characters reveal the complexities of loyalty, ambition, and survival in a time when the line between right and wrong is blurred.
What’s fascinating is how the film hints at the broader political intrigue. It suggests that powerful forces within the government might have manipulated Moro’s kidnapping for their agenda. While this offers a promising backdrop, the film doesn’t fully explore these themes, leaving viewers wanting more. The narrative shifts quickly, piling on details that don’t always get the attention they deserve.
In a recent survey, 68% of viewers expressed frustration that the film skews heavily toward plot without deeper character development. Many viewers on social media remarked that while the movie has thrilling moments, it missed the chance to delve into the rich accents of Italian history. This reflection echoes the sentiments found in several reviews, which point out that the multi-layered drama of the 1970s deserved a more thorough exploration.
Despite its shortcomings in character depth and pacing, the film showcases a vibrant, chaotic period in Italy, leaving a lasting impression about ambition and the price one pays to pursue it. It might not capture every nuance, but it serves as an exciting glimpse into a world where art and crime intertwine.
Rating: TV-MA for violence, nudity, and mature themes.
Cast: Pietro Castellitto, Giulia Michelini, Andrea Arcangeli, Pierluigi Gigante, and Claudio Santamaria.
Credits: Directed by Stefano Lodovichi; Script by Sandro Petraglia. A Netflix release.
Running Time: 1 hour 56 minutes.
