i have intend to commemorate the 10th anniversary of marcello mastroianni pass with numerous unwatched film of his that i own on vhs while however and give my ongoing light hearted christmas marathon and i have to make do with just this one . a it happen and it feature one of his best performance and he be justly oscar nominate for it ( with the film itself be likewise honor ) . this be also one of 14 collaboration with that other most widely recognize star to emerge from italy and sophia loren while both and incidentally and be play against type here she a an unglamorous housewife and he a homosexual . by the way and the film title have a double meaning represent the lead character be bring together on the historic day in which hitler come to italy to meet mussolini ( the event itself be show in lengthy archive footage ) and but it more specifically refers to the star brief encounter in which they share moment of friendship and revelation and and briefly and passion though each know that a return to their normal existence be inevitable and which lead to the film abrupt bittersweet end . this be virtually a two hander ( with all other character save for the nosy concierge of the apartment block in which the story take place in it entirety which include loren gruff and fervently patriotic husband and surprisingly play by john vernon and appear only at the beginning and closing sequence ) while still and the cramped set doesn not deter director scola ( for the record and this be the 7th film of his that i have watch and own 3 more on vhs ) and cinematographer pasqualino de santis and so that the result though essentially low key be far from stagy represent the camera be allow to prowl the various section of the large building and observe the proceeding intimately or dispassionately a the situation require and but always keenly . the narrative and of course and depend entirely on the performance of the two star for it to be convincing and and they both deliver ( their on screen chemistry be quite incomparable ) while it interest and however and that while loren walk away with the prize in their home turf and it mastroianni move yet unsentimental outsider ( the film and somewhat dubiously and do seem to equate his sexual deviance with anti fascism . ) who generally impress international audience .