WIE TIEF BIN ICH GESUNKEN

Cinemavixion Review

Luigi Comencini's 'Wie tief bin ich gesunken' (original title: 'Malizia') plunges viewers into a whirlwind of forbidden desire and societal constraints. Set against a backdrop that hints at post-war Italy, the film masterfully navigates the complex emotional landscape of Eugenia di Maqueda, portrayed with captivating intensity by Laura Antonelli. Raised in sheltered ignorance by nuns, Eugenia's world is shattered on her wedding night when she discovers her new husband, Raimondo Corrao (Alberto Lionello), is her own brother. This shocking revelation, delivered via a letter from their elusive father, forces the couple into a charade of siblinghood to avoid scandal. As Raimondo departs for the war in Libya, Eugenia finds herself increasingly drawn to the family's chauffeur (Michele Placido), a relationship that offers a dangerous yet irresistible solace, exploring themes of repressed sexuality and the desperate search for connection in a world bound by convention. The film is a compelling study of a woman's awakening desires and her struggle against the suffocating weight of societal expectations.