Watch The Flower in His Mouth

Based on the novel by Luigi Pirandello, The Flower in His Mouth is a 1975 Italian drama film directed by Luigi Zampa. The movie follows the story of a young, beautiful woman named Lisa Venturi (Jennifer O'Neill) who is married to a wealthy and successful businessman, Paolo (Franco Nero). Despite their material comforts, their marriage is unhappy and shallow, with both of them feeling trapped in their respective roles.

One day, Lisa meets an older man named Giuseppe Rocca (James Mason), a retired professor, who is convinced that he is going to die by the end of the day. He asks Lisa to spend the day with him, and she agrees, hoping to escape the drudgery of her life for a little while. Over the course of the day, Lisa and Giuseppe discuss topics ranging from death to spirituality, literature and art, and find a kind of intense and meaningful connection that neither of them had experienced before.

As the day wears on, Lisa becomes increasingly worried about Giuseppe's fixation on death and the fact that he seems to have made peace with it. She tries to convince him that life is worth living, and that he shouldn't give up on it so easily. Meanwhile, Paolo, who had grown suspicious of Lisa's whereabouts and had followed her, sees them together and jumps to conclusions.

Tensions rise when Paolo confronts Giuseppe, and both men are forced to confront their own mortality and their respective fears about it. As the day draws to a close, Lisa is forced to make a difficult choice about which path to take - stay with her husband and the life of superficiality and material comforts, or follow her heart and the newfound possibilities of a life with Giuseppe.

The Flower in His Mouth is a poignant and contemplative film that explores the themes of mortality, love, and the human desire for connection and meaning in life. The performances of the cast, particularly Jennifer O'Neill and James Mason, are superb, capturing the depth and complexity of the characters' emotions and desires. The cinematography is gorgeous, with the beautiful Tuscan setting providing a serene yet melancholic backdrop to the story.

What makes the movie stand out is its honest and thoughtful portrayal of the characters' struggles and desires, and their attempts to find meaning and purpose in a world that can seem hollow and transient. Through Lisa's journey, the movie raises questions about the nature of happiness, and whether it is possible to find it within oneself or whether one must seek it through others.

Overall, The Flower in His Mouth is a powerful and moving film that speaks to the human condition in profound and memorable ways. It is a must-see for anyone who appreciates thought-provoking and emotionally resonant cinema.