i know her well review
film by Antonio Pietrangeli (1965)
Adriana, an aspiring young model and actress, experiences the realities of show business from a woman’s point of view after moving to Rome from rural Italy. Capturing a unique era of Italian culture with its wondrous locations and period soundtrack, I Knew Her Well can be an intoxicating and indulging experience.
Review by Aaron Jones | Oct 08, 2024
It allows us to gaze upon a documented time that only pictures and film can show, depicting what we cannot imagine. Much like postcard images of cultural movements or nostalgic eras, these depictions sometimes fail to convey certain realities. This is where the film steps in, telling one woman’s story but symbolically representing the experiences of countless beautiful young women.
These are women whom nobody cares to know and who are seldom allowed to experience real intimacy. They are consumed by the assembly line system of show business and fame, feeding capitalism’s appetite for youth and beauty to accommodate those who profit from it. The film explores the superficial elements of the industry, which is propped up by weak foundations of shallowness and vanity rather than meaningful artistic collaboration. It shows a business full of self-congratulatory expressions, where constant reassurances and flattery are needed to soothe over-inflated egos and overgrown senses of self-worth. Status is gained not by achievement but by the position one holds, or by who they are, rather than by the integrity of their creations. In this environment, many contribute nothing but take everything.
The story also critiques our collective need to humiliate, dehumanize, and objectify the vulnerable and naive for momentary amusement, or to provide distractions from insecurities. This creates a communal acceptance and normalization of sadistic behaviors. The industry is full of those who may lack talent but possess excessive beauty, who are fed on and objectified, and who are susceptible to the self-absorbed social climbing required to survive, or even thrive. The film metaphorically demonstrates our expendable and destructive nature, showing how society’s desire for decadence is fueled by the exploitation of these individuals. Even those commonly exploited in the system are shown to exploit those below their station, illustrating the fundamental exploitative design of capitalism.
Still, Adriana drifts through the industry with her candy-coated personality and innocent smile, living only for the moment, much like many young people who believe they have endless opportunities ahead of them. She gives little thought to the passage of time, floating through life in a state of constant euphoria. However, the bubbly persona that she must maintain is a necessary shield to keep her from confronting her feelings and the pain she has accumulated over time. If she fails to hold up that image, the cracks may begin to show, and her beauty will start to fade, making her valueless in an industry that treats human beings as commodities, where beauty is only skin deep.
Author
Reviewed and published by Aaron Jones. Based in California, he developed a passion for film from a young age and has since viewed over 10,000 films. Curently serves as a film critic at CinemaWaves, he has contributed to other publications as well. Feel free to follow him on Instagram and Letterboxd.
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