Search - Teorema on DVD

A great critique of the Bouregeoisie

tak1 | 08/16/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Teorema is a penetrating and merciless critique of the bourgeoisie and its false, hypocritical values. This movie is a splendid poetic and ideological essay on the crisis of this social class. After receiving a visit from a "divine" guest, who appears in the likeness of a beautiful young man, a family of industrialists decides to donate its factory to the workers. The mysterious guest makes all members of the family fall in love with him and then suddenly abandons them, leaving each member in a chaotic state of mind. Upset by this strange mystical and sexual experience, the bourgeois are incapable of resuming their normal life and scatter around the world, victims of an existential diaspora that will lead them to solitude and desperation. The movie is a cruel metaphor of the inability of the bourgeoisie to experience true religious feelings. The characters live inside a confused and unresolved universe, dominated by dry materialistic values and by a false, hypocritical and wretched consciousness. In this movie Pasolini transports on the screen the social chaos of 1968, that he interpreted, with great clairvoyance, not as a real clash between classes, but as a sterile internal struggle within a falsely revolutionary bourgeoisie. (From the back cover of the original tape)"

"A theorem is a proposition that has been or is to be proved

Galina | Virginia, USA | 04/07/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"..Proving theorems is a central activity of mathematicians. Note that "theorem" is distinct from "theory". (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Pier Paolo Pasolini's "Teorema" (1968) is a fable that tells how a handsome young man (extremely attractive Terrence Stamp "with the eyes of an angel and the grin of the devil") stays as a guest in the house of a wealthy factory owner and seduces one after another all members of the household - the maid, the teenagers son and daughter, the wife, and the father (in this order). When released in 1968, the film had divided believers and atheists as much as critics. Some of Pasolini's comrades-Marxists were also infuriated by this attack on their ideology. Many viewers were disturbed by its removing sexual taboos even though sex is handled very tastefully. It is more a symbol of connection and closeness to God (or it could be to Devil, we may only guess). Made almost forty years ago, "Teorema" seems to be simple and puzzling at the same time. It reminded me Ingmar Bergman's movies from his "Trilogy of Faith" which sums up Bergman's own philosophy regarding religion and God - "God has never spoken because He does not exist". In Bergman's world where God does not exist, communication and understanding are not possible and everyone is locked in their loneliness like in a cage. In Pasolini's film, God sends his angel to a chosen family. He has spoken to them and known them but then he left them. Did they become happier? Is that possible for a human to keep on living like nothing happen after the encounter with God?

I watched "Teorema" for the first time few weeks ago but I still think about it trying to understand what "theorem" Pasolini tried to prove? I also was thinking about the films that were inspired by or reminded me a lot about "Teorema". I've mentioned Bergman already. Luis Bunuel with "Nazarin", "Viridiana"," Belle de jour" (1967) - the mother's transformation in "Teorema" reminds about the film immediately, and "Le Charme discret de la bourgeoisie"(1972) come to mind. I was also reminded of Andrei Tarkovsky. The visual style, camera work and the use of music in "Teorema" seem similar with Russian Master's. His last film, "Sacrifice" may be the one closest to Pasolini's film.

I would never say that everyone must watch "Teorema". It is a very unusual film that could be easily dismissed as ridiculous and dated or it would be thought of as absolutely brilliant and mysterious. I have not decided yet but I can't forget it.

P.S. April 7, 2007 - It's been several months since I saw "Teorema" and now I believe that it is brilliant and belongs to the the best films ever made. One can meditate forever on its depths and mystery, and that's the sign of a great work of Art for me.

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A classic!

tak1 | 12/08/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Can I just be honest here and say that I'm not a huge fan of Pasolini's films. I have seen Accatone, the gospel according to matthew which was pretty good, and mamma roma which wasn't bad either. For some reason I could never truly appreciate his films until I saw Salo and realized that he was brilliant. But that was like once in a blue moon. Now by chance I saw Teorema and was instantly impressed. It's definitely freaking awesome and what's most interesting is that most of the acting is based on body language. It's very effective!
The storyline you may think as out of date but i feel it stands the test of time. How many moments have we had where there's one certain experience that forever changes our lives for better or for worse. In this case, it's one person who deeply affects the "rich" family.
It's well worth your time to catch this."

A strange and beautiful movie

Stalwart Kreinblaster | Xanadu | 12/08/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Pasolini made several strange and interesting movies in the late 60's, but 'Teorema' is surely the best. It features some of the most beautiful camera shots of the director's career. The subject matter is very unique and somehow gets under the skin - this is the great mythic-religous Pasolini's rendering of a modern spiritual figure. The man has the power to change the lives of all those around him - a sort of walking god-head.
It is a difficult film to describe - and it is even more difficult to say why I like it so much... All I can say is this is one of Pasolini's best movies."