Smog (1962)
Franco Rossi's sharp Italian drama follows a vain lawyer stranded in Los Angeles, drifting through parties and a fleeting expatriate romance.
Smog - Movie Information
- Release Year: 1962
- Directed by: Franco Rossi
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 32m
- Original Language: Italian
- Spoken Languages: English, Italian
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 4, 1962 (Italy)
- Production Companies: Titanus, SPIC
- Production Countries: Italy
Smog - Plot
An ambitious Italian attorney has his flight delayed in Los Angeles. The vapid lawyer goes to some parties with some Italians living there and has a brief affair with a beautiful Italian expatriate.
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Smog - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Franco Rossi
Main Cast
- Enrico Maria Salerno
- Annie Girardot
- Renato Salvatori
- Susan Spafford
- Len Lesser
- Howard Koch
- Fred Catania
- Max Showalter
- John Phillip Law
- Peggy Moffitt
Writers
- Pier Maria Pasinetti
- Franco Rossi
- Gian Domenico Giagni
- Franco Brusati
- Pasquale Festa Campanile
Producers
- Goffredo Lombardo
Smog - FAQs
What is Smog (1962) about?
Smog follows Vittorio, a self-important Italian lawyer whose flight gets delayed in Los Angeles. Adrift in an unfamiliar city, he tags along with Italian expatriates at shallow social gatherings and falls into a brief, bittersweet romance with a fellow Italian living abroad. The film uses his aimless stay as a lens for social satire.
Does Smog offer a critique of Italian social attitudes?
Very much so. Director Franco Rossi uses Vittorio's hollow ambition and superficial behavior as a pointed commentary on a certain breed of mid-century Italian professional — charming on the surface, morally adrift underneath. The Los Angeles backdrop amplifies his displacement, making his pretensions look even more absurd against an indifferent American landscape.
Where can you watch Smog (1962)?
You can check current streaming and viewing options for Smog on JustWatch, which tracks availability across rental, purchase, and subscription platforms in your region. Availability may vary depending on your country, so it's worth checking directly for the most up-to-date options.
What makes Annie Girardot's performance memorable in Smog?
Annie Girardot brings warmth and quiet melancholy to Gabriella, the Italian expatriate at the heart of the film's brief romance. Her performance stands out for its naturalism — she conveys longing and disillusionment with remarkable economy, making Gabriella feel like the most grounded and genuinely human presence in an otherwise satirically observed world.
Who are the main actors in Smog?
The film stars Enrico Maria Salerno as the self-absorbed lawyer Vittorio, with Annie Girardot as Gabriella, the Italian woman he becomes involved with. Renato Salvatori, Susan Spafford, Len Lesser, Max Showalter, and a young John Phillip Law round out a cast that blends Italian and American talent.
Is Smog based on a novel or true story?
Smog is an original screenplay rather than an adaptation of a specific novel or true events. The script was developed by a notably large team of writers including Pier Maria Pasinetti, Franco Brusati, Pasquale Festa Campanile, and Massimo Franciosa, among others — a collaborative approach common in Italian cinema of the early 1960s.
What films are similar to Smog (1962)?
If Smog appeals to you, films like Night on Earth, Barton Fink, and Leaving Las Vegas share its sense of characters adrift in an American city. For Italian social satire of the same era, Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion and The Roof make excellent companion pieces exploring moral ambiguity and class with sharp, observational wit.
Who composed the music for Smog?
The score for Smog was composed by Piero Umiliani, a prolific Italian composer celebrated for his work across jazz, lounge, and film music. His contribution to the film adds a cool, atmospheric texture that suits the story's mood of urban detachment and romantic melancholy perfectly.
More About Smog
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