Identification of a Woman movie storyline. Niccolò (Tomás Milián) is a successful Italian filmmaker searching for a woman to inspire his next film and perhaps fill the romantic void left by his recent divorce. At his sister’s gynecology office, he answers the phone and speaks briefly with a young woman named Mavi Luppis (Daniela Silverio) who is looking to make an appointment. She recognized his name and something sparks his imagination. He notes her name and address, and a few days later invites her to his Rome apartment where they make love.
Sometime later, Niccolò receives a mysterious phone call from a man wanting to meet about a “delicate matter” at Fassi’s ice cream parlor. Niccolò meets with the stranger who warns him about continuing his relationship with Mavi if he values his “peace of mind”.
Later at his apartment, Niccolò tells Mavi about the “stooge” who threatened him on behalf of one of her suitors. Mavi doesn’t know who it could be. Wondering who is behind the threats, Niccolò asks Mavi to introduce him to some of her old aristocratic friends. They go to Dandini’s restaurant where she’s greeted by several old friends, including an older gentleman who stops her on the stairs and talks with her. Afterwards Mavi informs Niccolò that she feels uncomfortable and asks to leave.
Mavi takes Niccolò to a dinner party given by some of her wealthy friends. Niccolò finds the aristo crowd cold and cliquish. Mavi makes the rounds talking to her friends, including a beautiful young blonde woman. Niccolò grows suspicious of Mavi, believing she knows the identity of her mysterious suitor.
Mavi assures him that she is no longer with this crowd, and that she is now with him. Later she reveals that the man she met on the stairs at Dandini’s was a “family friend” who she recently discovered was her father. With tears in her eyes, she recounts how she avoided him for years not knowing who he was, and all the time he was unable to show his love to his daughter.
After Niccolò’s sister is passed over for a promotion, Niccolò suspects that the jealous suitor is now trying to get to him through his family. When he notices someone watching his house, Niccolò and Mavi drive out to the country where he’s rented a farmhouse. Along the way they encounter thick fog on the road. At a caution light near a bridge, Niccolò stops and gets out to investigate.
Mavi calls out to Niccolò and he returns to the car. She feels they are being watched. Niccolò drives off speeding through the countryside shrouded in fog. They get into an argument about his driving and Niccolò stops the car. Mavi gets out and walks away, disappearing into the fog. Niccolò goes out looking for her, but she’s nowhere to be found. He returns to the car and finds her waiting inside.
Later that night they arrive at the country farmhouse which, Niccolò notes, is slowly sinking into the ancient Roman ruins beneath it. They explore the ruins and disturb a large owl that flies off. That night they argue about their relationship and his inability to tell her he loves her; later they make passionate love. The next morning, Niccolò finds that Mavi has disappeared. Back in Rome he is unable to find her. Passing a newsstand, Niccolò recognizes the young blonde woman on the cover of a swimming magazine from the dinner party. He goes to the public pool where he approaches her and learns that she once slept with Mavi, but hasn’t seen her lately.
Identification of a Woman (Italian: Identificazione di Una Donna) is a 1982 Italian drama film written, directed, and edited by Michelangelo Antonioni and starring Tomás Milián, Daniela Silverio, and Christine Boisson. The film is about an Italian filmmaker searching for a woman to play the leading role in his next film, and also in his life. Filmed on location in Rome and Venice, Identification of a Woman was awarded the 35th Anniversary Prize at the 1982 Cannes Film Festival.
Identification of a Woman (1982)
Directed by: Michelangelo Antonioni
Starring: Tomás Milián, Daniela Silverio, Christine Boisson, Lara Wendel, Veronica Lazar, Enrica Antonioni, Sandra Monteleoni, Marcel Bozzuffi, Giampaolo Saccarola, Arianna De Rosa
Screenplay by: Michelangelo Antonioni, Gérard Brach, Tonino Guerra
Production Design by: Andrea Crisanti
Cinematography by: Carlo Di Palma
Film Editing by: Michelangelo Antonioni
Costume Design by: Paola Comencini
Set Decoration by: Massimo Tavazzi
Music by: John Foxx
MPAA Rating: None.
Distributed by: Gaumont
Release Date: September 30, 1982 (United States), October 21, 1982 (Italy)
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