A Pure Formality (1994)

In the midst of a tempestuous night, a murder shatters the silence and a man, found wandering aimlessly, is captured by the police, bereft of any identification and shielded only by the cloak of the torrential rain. He is detained within the desolate confines of a dilapidated police station, where he proclaims himself to be Onoff, the esteemed yet reclusive writer who has vanished from the public eye, leaving a void in the world of literature. His arrest, however, is not due to his anonymity, but a murder that occurred in the vicinity of his seclusion. Upon the arrival of the Inspector, a zealous fan of Onoff's work, the scene shifts from mere detention to a mental chess game. The Inspector, armed with a repertoire of Onoff's literary masterpieces, probes the acclaimed writer, who finds himself unable to recount the events of the past four hours - a crucial fragment of time that could potentially exonerate him or condemn him. As the storm continues to rage outside, mirroring the psychological tumult within the station, the Inspector relentlessly interrogates Onoff, seeking to unravel the enigma of the unidentified victim, the hazy events, and the possible link between the renowned writer and the mysterious murder. The narrative weaves a curious interplay of suspense and intellect, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats, questioning - who is the victim, and who is the killer?

A Pure Formality is a crime movie featuring Gérard Depardieu and directed by Giuseppe Tornatore.

A Pure Formality is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy, Shout! Factory TV and The Roku Channel.