Le Amiche (1955)

In the heart of Turin, the stylish Clelia, hailing from Rome, has arrived to oversee the establishment of a new fashion salon. On her first night, the tranquil silence of her hotel is shattered by an attempted suicide in the room next door. The delicate Rosetta Savone, young and troubled, is found on the brink of death, having overdosed on sleeping pills. In the cold solitude of Turin, Clelia finds herself drawn towards the vulnerable Rosetta, extending a hand of friendship and stepping into a whirlwind of complexities. Rosetta introduces Clelia to her circle of affluent friends - the cynical Momina De Stefani, the artistically gifted Nene, and the frivolous Mariella. Momina, a woman of the world, is estranged from her husband and switches lovers with an effortless ease, her current flame being Cesare Pedoni, the architect of Clelia's salon. Nene, a rising star in the realm of art, is married to Lorenzo, a painter whose talent has been overshadowed by his wife's success. Mariella, carefree and aloof, is consumed by the thrill of the moment. Amid this tangled web of relationships, Clelia finds herself captivated by Carlo, Cesare's humble assistant. Despite the magnetic attraction, their love is a delicate dance around the societal constraints of class division. As Clelia immerses herself in the lives of these women, she uncovers the reason behind Rosetta's despair - a secret, unrequited love for Nene's partner, Lorenzo. The discovery sets off a chain of events, as Momina, ever the cynic, convinces Rosetta to pursue her feelings for Lorenzo, despite his impending marriage to Nene. As Clelia navigates the turbulent waters of love, friendship and betrayal, she must confront the tragic consequences of this illicit love triangle. "Le Amiche" paints a vivid portrait of love, ambition, and the power of societal norms, set against the backdrop of 1950s Turin.

Le Amiche is a drama movie featuring Eleonora Rossi Drago.

Le Amiche is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.

It is also possible to buy Le Amiche on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu and YouTube.