Cosi Fan Tutte (1983)

Cosi Fan Tutte Poster

An excellent performance of this delightful opera. The principals are superb, especially the sisters. Bruscantini as Don Alfonso is past his prime, but he knows and understands the role inside out, so one does not even notice his vocal limitations. Araiza is in top form as Ferrando, and Morris makes virile Guglielmo. The only disappointment is Battle as Despina. Unlike her partners, she does not have feel for the Mozart ensemble, and her vocal mannerisms are totally unbecoming. How the producers allowed that to happen is a mystery. Muti's conducting is terrific, much better than on his La Scala video, where he is uninvolved.

Film Overview
"Cosi Fan Tutte" is an Australian comedy-drama film directed by Mark Joffe in 1983. The movie is adjusted from a stage play by Louis Nowra. Its title, translated as "all women resemble that", refer to Mozart's opera of the same name which plays a significant function in the plot of the movie. The storyline is set within the background of a mental institution, focusing essentially on the intricacies of human relationships, love, fidelity, and madness.

Plot and Characters
The film's protagonist is a young and somewhat unlucky director, Lewis, who is played by Ben Mendelsohn. Lewis gets worked with to stage a play inside a psychological institution. The head of the institution, Roy, elected by the patients, demands the Mozart's opera "Cosi Fan Tutte", regardless of the patients' absence of singing ability or familiarity with Italian-- the language in which the play is initially scripted.

A vibrant ensemble of characters occupy the institution, from the pyromaniac who never ever speaks, Doug (played by David Wenham), to the effervescent and often unpredictable Roy (barry Otto). Cherry, an amorous female with a constant affection towards Lewis, is another character who brings a lively dynamic to the story.

Styles
"Cosi Fan Tutte" handle numerous styles, including the madness of war compared to the insanity of individuals suffering mental illness. This contrast appears when the play's main character, Lewis, is made to challenge the harsh realities of his outdoors world. Lewis' girlfriend Lucy and buddy Nick are staging a demonstration versus the Vietnam War, however their actions and habits starkly contrast with the violent and unforeseeable behavior of a few of the clients in the organization, resulting in a mind-blowing comparison.

The movie also handles styles of love and fidelity, taken directly from Mozart's opera. Lewis' relationship with his sweetheart Lucy (played by Rachel Griffiths) is checked, simply as the relationships in the opera "Cosi Fan Tutte" are evaluated. In addition, the characters in the organization, in spite of their conditions, all yearn for and show various types of love.

Furthermore, Joffe explores the transformative power of art and performance, representing how the staging and performance of the opera offer healing results for the institution residents. Their participation in the play supplies them not just with a sense of company and accomplishment but likewise individual development and sociability.

Reception and Legacy
"Cosi Fan Tutte" is applauded for its creative mix of comedy and drama, as well as its capability to sensitively but humorously portray psychological health concerns. Critics have lauded the film's unique balance in between hilarity and pathos, offering audiences a warm, funny yet thought-provoking exploration of human psyches.

The motion picture's sustaining charm depends on its varied, brilliant cast, its expedition of a wide range of themes, and its seamless weaving of Mozart's opera story into a contemporary storyline. The storytelling effectively combines debate and comedy to guide far from clichéd mental illness stereotypes, instead, communicating a profound message-- that below the intricacies and eccentricities, everyone is essentially the same with their own distinct versions of normality.

Top Cast

  • Margaret Marshall (small)
    Margaret Marshall
    Fiordiligi
  • Ann Murray
    Dorabella
  • James Morris (small)
    James Morris
    Guglielmo
  • Francisco Araiza (small)
    Francisco Araiza
    Ferrando
  • Kathleen Battle (small)
    Kathleen Battle
    Despina
  • Sesto Bruscantini (small)
    Sesto Bruscantini
    Don Alfonso
  • Riccardo Muti (small)
    Riccardo Muti
    Conductor