Il Sorpasso (1962)

In the sun-drenched, languid streets of Rome, during the festive Ferragosto national holiday, a chance encounter sparks an unexpected kinship between two wildly different souls. Bruno Cortona, a charismatic middle-aged charmer with an insatiable zest for life, and Roberto Mariani, a reserved law student, find themselves tethered together in the ghostly quiet of the holiday-emptied Eternal City. Bruno, a man of thirty-six, thrives on excitement, seizing opportunities with an exuberance that draws people to his masculine allure. He's a man who, in his refusal to grow up, has maintained an intoxicating joie de vivre. On the other end of the spectrum, we have Roberto, an introverted soul uncertain of his own life path, so shy that he hides his affection for the girl living across from him, Valeria, even capturing her photograph clandestinely. When Bruno's spontaneous holiday plans twist their paths together, they find themselves on an exhilarating joyride in Bruno's sleek Lancia Aurelia sports car. Roberto, initially reluctant, would much rather bury himself in his law books, prepping for an exam just weeks away, yet finds himself swept up in Bruno's whirlwind of spontaneity. As they zoom through Rome's invitingly empty boulevards and open highways, the duo embarks on a beautiful exploration of life's pleasures. The journey brings Roberto face-to-face with his inhibitions, prompting him to question the studious life he's led, and to embrace the possibility of the best two days of his life. Their unanticipated companionship becomes a mirror for both men, sparking introspection and self-discovery. As they delve deeper into each other's lives, the key question arises - can this unlikely camaraderie help them find the perfect balance in their lives, allowing Roberto to break his shell and Bruno to embrace maturity? Il Sorpasso is an impulsive quest for summer fun, a testament to being alive, young, and carefree, and an exploration of the myriad paths life has to offer.

Il Sorpasso is a comedy movie featuring Vittorio Gassman.

Il Sorpasso is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.

It is also possible to buy Il Sorpasso on Amazon Video and Apple TV.