Loving Badly
Loving Badly

Movie spotlight

Loving Badly

1969
Movie
85 min
Italian

Anna is the personal secretary of a rich industrialist who falls in love with her boss' daughter's leftist boyfriend, Carlo. Anna pretty much severs her ties with her boss (who she also had romantic moments with) and after she moves in with the college student Carlo she attempts to provide for both, but soon fails in finding job opportunities and sinks into the sleazy world of drugs and prostitution. Carlo's right wing brother demands Carlo begins his relationship with daughter of the powerful businessman in order to guarantee financial freedom for the rest of his life.

Insights

IMDb7.0/10
Director: Anthony PageGenres: Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

A young woman, recently released from a mental institution, attempts to rebuild her life and relationships. She struggles with the stigma of her past and the expectations of those around her, particularly her family and a new romantic interest. The film explores themes of mental health, societal judgment, and the complexities of human connection.

Critical Reception

Upon its release, 'Loving Badly' received mixed to positive reviews, with critics often highlighting its sensitive portrayal of mental health issues and strong performances from its lead actors. Some found the narrative to be somewhat melodramatic, while others praised its emotional depth and challenging subject matter.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its empathetic and nuanced depiction of a woman navigating mental health challenges.

  • Notable for the compelling performances of Susannah York and Tom Bell.

  • Some viewers found the pacing deliberate, but appreciated the character development.

Google audience: Audience reviews, where available, tend to commend the film for its mature handling of sensitive themes and the emotional resonance of its story, though some find the dramatic elements a bit dated.

Fun Fact

The film was based on a novel of the same name by Jill Chaney, and its exploration of mental health was considered quite progressive for its time.

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