Watch A Special Day

A Special Day is a 1977 Italian film, directed by Ettore Scola, starring Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni, with John Vernon in a supporting role. The film is set in Rome on May 6, 1938, which is the day on which Adolf Hitler visited Mussolini in the city. It tells the story of two neighbors who get to know each other over the course of this day.

Loren plays Antonietta, a housewife who has been left alone with her six children when her husband takes them to the parade. Mastroianni stars as Gabriele, a radio announcer who has been fired from his job due to his homosexuality. Antonietta and Gabriele live in the same crowded apartment building, but they have never met before.

As Antonietta is cleaning up in her apartment, she hears Gabriele's radio broadcast from next door. She becomes curious and goes over to his apartment to borrow a pot of sugar. This is the beginning of their conversation and the start of their afternoon together.

As the two neighbors get to know each other, they discover that despite their very different lives, they have certain things in common. Antonietta is a very traditional housewife, whereas Gabriele is more cosmopolitan and has traveled the world. However, they both feel lonely and trapped in their lives.

Throughout the film, there are moments of tenderness and humor, as well as some troubling undertones. Antonietta's husband is a fascist and there are hints of anti-Semitism, but the film is primarily about the connection between two people who are isolated and in need of companionship.

The film is shot in a very naturalistic style, with long takes and a focus on the faces of the actors. Loren and Mastroianni both give excellent performances, with Loren in particular conveying a wide range of emotions. The score, composed by Armando Trovajoli, is a beautiful accompaniment to the film.

Overall, A Special Day is a haunting and poignant film, made all the more powerful by its historical context. It explores themes of loneliness, desire, and the human need for connection, all set against the backdrop of a dark time in history. With its two great actors in the lead roles, it is a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

A Special Day is a 1977 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.1.