Ugly, Dirty and Bad

Watch Ugly, Dirty and Bad

  • NR
  • 1976
  • 1 hr 55 min
  • 7.7  (9,020)

Ugly, Dirty and Bad is a 1976 Italian black comedy film directed by Ettore Scola. The movie depicts the everyday life of a dysfunctional family living in a shantytown on the outskirts of Rome. The film was released to critical acclaim and was nominated for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. At the center of the film is the patriarch of the family, Giacinto (Nino Manfredi). He is a greedy and selfish man who lives with his wife, 3 sons, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter in a dilapidated shack. Giacinto spends his days lying in bed, watching TV, and scheming to get rich quick. He often tries to take advantage of his family members to get what he wants, including his daughter-in-law's inheritance.

The other family members are just as dysfunctional as Giacinto. The sons include a thief, a drug addict, and a would-be gigolo. Giacinto's wife is bedridden and has not spoken in years, and his granddaughter is too young to understand the madness around her. The only sane person in the family is the daughter-in-law, who is constantly abused and mistreated by Giacinto and desperately tries to escape the shackles of the family.

The film is most notable for its depiction of poverty and squalor. The family's home is a filthy and cramped shack overflowing with garbage and debris. The family's living conditions are overcrowded and oppressive, and they often sleep on top of each other on the same bed.

Despite the bleakness of the film's subject matter, Scola injects the film with a dark sense of humor. The film's desperate attempts at getting rich are a source of absurdity, as is the family's incredible ability to live in such squalor without seeming to care.

Throughout the film, Scola uses a series of vignettes to expose the family's dysfunction. The family members' petty squabbles often lead to physical altercations, with everyone fighting for scraps. The film also explores themes of morality, family dynamics, and the societal effects of poverty.

The performances in Ugly, Dirty and Bad are excellent across the board. Nino Manfredi's portrayal of Giacinto is a standout, conveying the character's greed and selfishness while still making him somewhat sympathetic. The rest of the cast also delivers standout performances, particularly Francesco Anniballi as the drug-addicted son and Maria Bosco as the abused daughter-in-law.

In conclusion, Ugly, Dirty and Bad is a darkly comedic look at poverty and dysfunction in a dysfunctional family. The film veers from the bleak to the absurd, painting a picture of the harsh realities faced by many on the fringes of society. The film's performances and direction are top-notch, making it a must-see for fans of Italian cinema.

Ugly, Dirty and Bad is a 1976 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 55 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7.

Ugly, Dirty and Bad
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Where to Watch Ugly, Dirty and Bad
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  • Release Date
    1976
  • MPAA Rating
    NR
  • Runtime
    1 hr 55 min
  • Language
    Italian
  • IMDB Rating
    7.7  (9,020)