The Invisible Woman (Italian: La donna invisibile) is a 1969 Italian drama film written and directed by Paolo Spinola and starring Giovanna Ralli and Carla Gravina.
Contents
Plot
Laura comes to the painful realization that her husband, Andrea, no longer harbors any affection for her. She feels as though she is fading away, barely existing in his eyes. Despite her deep love for him, Andrea's attention seems solely focused on Delfina, another woman residing in their home. Laura's attempts to revive their relationship prove futile, even after confessing to occasional infidelities.
During a hunting expedition, Andrea accidentally shoots and kills Laura while aiming at a pheasant. However, he fails to notice her lifeless body lying beside the prey and instead moves closer to Delfina. In a haunting moment, Andrea addresses Laura by her name, unaware of the tragedy he has caused.
Cast
Giovanna Ralli as Laura
Carla Gravina as Delfina
Anita Sanders as Anita
Silvano Tranquilli as Andrea
Gigi Rizzi as Carlo
Elena Persiani as Tania
Gino Cassani as Tania's Husband
Franca Sciutto as Crocetta
Raúl Ramírez as Osvaldo
Production
The film is based on a short story by Alberto Moravia. It was produced by Clesi Cinematografica.
Release
The film received a domestic theatrical release in the summer of 1969. Seized for obscenity, with magistrates requiring about 20 minutes of cuts, it was eventually re-released two months later.
Reception
The film grossed about 280 millions lire at the domestic box office. Italian film critic Paolo Mereghetti described it as "convoluted" and "outdated in its psychological notations". Film historian Roberto Curti similarly noted it "remains a work of its time, with didactic excesses
and some awkward passages".