BLACK JOURNAL

Cinemavixion Review

Mauro Bolognini's "Black Journal" (1977) is a disturbing and unforgettable descent into maternal obsession and dark ritual. Inspired by the legend of the Correggio soapmaker, the film plunges into the psyche of Léa, portrayed with chilling intensity by Shelley Winters. Léa's singular focus is her only surviving son, Michele, whom she believes she has bargained for with Death itself. This morbid devotion drives her to increasingly horrific acts, culminating in sacrifices intended to keep her son tethered to her, even as he seeks independence. The narrative, enriched by the detailed plot summary from external sources, reveals Léa's escalating ritualistic murders, transforming her friends and eventually her son's fiancée into soap and other macabre offerings. Max von Sydow and Renato Pozzetto also feature in this operatic exploration of a mother's terrifying grip, a film that lingers long after the credits roll, questioning the very nature of love and sacrifice.